One of Australia’s oldest jumps races the Great Western Steeplechase (3600m) has gone down to the wire, with Henry Dwyer and William McCarthy continuing their successful partnership this season after Riding High (NZ) (Raise The Flag) got his head down when it counted most in Coleraine’s feature event on Sunday.
A thrilling contest of fourteen fences saw three horses battle out the finish at the end of the 3600-metre event, which was first conducted in 1857.
While race favourite Big Blue (Galileo) set the pace, he was challenged early by Riding High who was put into the race by McCarthy and out-bobbed Zedman (NZ) (Zed), who after taking the shortcuts home under Aaron Lynch looked his race to lose on the bend, with San Remo (Frankel) three-quarters of a length away in third.
Riding High was sent out a $4 second favourite on the back of efforts behind rising star Social Element (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Mosstrooper (3500m) and Crisp Steeplechase (4200m).
Part-owned by Mike Symons, he said it was unlikely the eight-year-old son of Raise the Flag would press on to the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) on his home track on August 29.
The victory was Riding High’s fourth from nine jumps events, having also taken out the Australian Steeplechase (3900m) in May.
