Steeplechaser rises above awards field

UP THE JUMPER: Mr Mor (left), an ageing steeplechaser, was a surprise winner of the Wanganui Horse of the Year award. PHOTO/RACE IMAGES MR_MOR_WELLINGTON_11-7-2015

THE Wanganui Jockey Club made a departure from the norm when naming a steeplechaser Horse of the Year at their annual racing-awards dinner.

The Evan and JJ Rayner-trained 11-year-old jumper Mr Mor was given the 2014/2015 title at the Take It Easy Tours-sponsored event on Sunday.

In an ideal world, Who Shot Thebarman would have romped in for his deeds across the Tasman, including his third in the Melbourne Cup last November. However, while owned by the O'Leary brothers from Whangaehu, Who Shot Thebarman was not trained in Wanganui so was ineligible for selection.

The horse was recognised, though, when brothers Dan, Humphrey, Michael and Shaun O'Leary shared the Stuart Tasker Memorial Personality Award. Their success at national and international level with Who Shot Thebarman not only put the family on the racing map, but also shone the limelight firmly on Wanganui.

Mr Mor and Hunterville mare Wee Biskit dead-heated for the Jumper of the Year title. Both had been nominated for the national Jumper of the Year title, but were beaten by Amanood Lad. The Wanganui judges felt both deserved to be recognised.

Wee Biskit and Mr Mor were then pitted against last year's Horse of the Year, Scapolo, for this year's title. Scapolo had won at group 3 level during the season, but given the complete dominance of Wanganui jumpers in 2014/2015 the judges felt compelled to seriously look at the two steeplechasers.

Wee Biskit had won two races over the bigger fences, including the Great Northern Hurdles which carries huge weight in the decision-making process. However, Mr Mor had won three races including the prestige Hawke's Bay and Wellington Hurdles. In a close-run thing, Mr Mor got the nod.

Hunterville was again in the frame when Benzini won Stayer of the Year for Adrian and Harry Bull. Benzini was the obvious choice after winning three on end in his lead-up to sixth in the Auckland Cup.

The recognition of the Hunterville fraternity was welcomed. In other years Hunterville had fallen through the cracks, with no obvious club affiliations until the Wanganui invitation this season.

The Rayners enjoyed a busy night on the podium, picking up the Three-year-old of the Year title with Star O'Fraaj who posted two wins and twice placed at black-type level, including third in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas. They also nabbed the Sprinter/Miler of the Year with Taurus. He had two wins and three placings all at Listed level, including our own Ag Challenge Stakes.

Weight-for-age Performer of the Year went to Ginner Hart, trained by Alexander Fieldes. Ginner Hart scraped in over Scapolo. Both had wins at Group 3 level, but Ginner Hart also had a Group 3 placing to his credit.

Leading jockey went to Johnathon Parkes for the second season on end after he again chalked up more than 100 winners during the season.

Leading trainer as usual went to Kevin Myers, who also took out the Tom Corrigan Trophy for leading jumps trainer for the sixth season on end.

The Most Successful Breeder again went to Peter and Barbara Smith, who bred Group 2 Stella Artois Tauranga Stakes winner Fay Fay. The Falkirk galloper has won this award for the Smiths before.

A new category, Amateur Rider of the Year, went to Wanganui farmer Scotty McNab, who won the national title just last Friday. He finished clear of fellow Wanganui rider Caley Myers on the national amateur premiership.