Progressive jumper Social Element (NZ) (Savabeel) has cemented himself as a chasing star of the future with a dominant victory in Sunday’s Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) at Sandown.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained gelding made it four-straight wins over the jumps this preparation defeating an accomplished field of chasers including Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) & Grand National Hurdle (4200m) winner Ablaze (NZ) (Raise The Flag).
The eight-year-old met his rivals worse at the weights than at his last-start victory in the Mosstrooper Steeplechase (3500m) but produced a supreme performance, clean over the jumps and relishing getting onto the superior ground when on the course proper.
The son of Savabeel was strong through the line when stepping up to 4200m for the first time in his career and will try to make it five in a row when racing in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) on August 29.
“This horse is something else. Everyone has said he’s been a good horse but today he had to show everybody that he was and to do it so convincingly we’re very lucky to have him,” Alva Prendergast, stable representative for the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable, said.
“We were questioning the distance a little bit but from his previous runs it looked like the further he was going the stronger he was getting and he proved that today.
“Hopefully onwards and upwards to the next test in the National and hopefully he can do the same.
“He was quite a class horse on the flat too so I think that helps him a lot, but he’s just such a laidback easy-going customer, he reserves all his energy for when he needs it and when he needs to dash away from them, he’s just special.”
Jockey Tom Ryan has ridden Social Element in each of his four wins this preparation and said the exciting chaser has continued to come on with each test.
“He’s improved so much with every run, super,” Ryan said.
“He jumped very well. I was worried when we jumped out of the gates because it is so much heavier up the back, I know he’s handled heavier around Warrnambool but he was labouring early I was thinking I might be in trouble here, but when we came out on the course-proper the first time he just came alive just because of the better ground.
“I know he’s won on heavy but I think he’s actually better on better ground. I know that probably won’t help him perform at Ballarat, but I just think better ground is better for him.”
