Kevin Myers was at his masterful best at Waverley on Sunday winning all five of the jumping events on the card, and if that wasn’t enough, he produced three quinellas to boot.
The Wanganui horseman fittingly took out the first of the day, the Happy 21st Luke Myers (3000m), with his own Mugshot (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven), who won going away from his rivals at the finish to break maiden status in the hurdling role.
A son of Echoes Of Heaven, Mugshot was ridden by Dean Parker, who also partnered eye-catching chestnut Run Jakko Run (NZ) (Jakkalberry) to win the Oulaghan Racing (3000m) in similar fashion drawing clear by three lengths to stablemate Khafeef.
Parker is based at Myers’ stable alongside fellow jockey Joshua Parker, who also secured a double on the card commenced by a dominant display from Go Butch. The market for the Murdoch Contracting (3000m) was dominated by capable flat performer Kahu Rock, but the $1.70 favourite fell at the fence exiting the home straight dislodging Shaun Fannin, leaving second-fancy Go Butch (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) with all to play for.
The Mongolian Khan six-year-old challenged for the lead along the back straight and looked to be travelling like the winner turning for home, with a flying leap at the final fence securing his 4 ¾ length romp.
“He’s a tremendous jumper, we’ve known that since day one when I rode him over hurdles and he ran third,” Joshua Parker said.
“I told the owners to give me another chance because I thought he could win his next start, where he ran second. I had to ask for one more opportunity and luckily we got the job done today, they have been so patient with me so I really thank them for the support.
“He’s an easy ride, not too keen and you know what you’ve got underneath you. Luke and Jason (Myers) told me to keep hold of him as long as I could to fill him with confidence and hopefully I would be in the right spot turning in, and luckily it worked out that way.
“He’s got plenty of stamina, but he gains his lengths jumping and really attacks the fences. I think he has a bright future, potentially going over chase fences in time to come as he’s very bold.”
The two Parkers went head-to-head in the finish of the Bob Baker Steeplechase (4000m) aboard stablemate Interllectus and Call Me Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), with just a head separating the consistent gallopers at the finish in favour of the latter.
“I adore this horse (Call Me Jack), he’s so laidback and when we ride out in the mornings, he’s that easy horse you can canter along on the buckle,” Joshua Parker said.
“His owners have been very supportive of me putting me on at every start, he gave me a win at Te Aroha and I thought he was a really nice type.
“The key is to be positive on him, he doesn’t like being passed by horses and backed up which is what happened when he ran fifth at Hastings. I was a bit disappointed because I knew there was a lot more for him to show than he did that day, so I was really pleased he put that on display.”
The five-win haul also included a comfortable victory by Lochwinnoch (NZ) (Rios) in the Tracmac Sales Service Wanganui (4000m), the Rios gelding having his first start over the steeplechase fences after showing plenty of ability over hurdles. Ridden by Hamish McNeill, the seven-year-old justified his $2.60 favouritism powering away by 2 ½ lengths, with stablemate Sweet Taboo running into second.
The win completed a unique weekend double, with Lochwinnoch’s younger full-brother Quid saluting in the Rating 65 2100m contest at Otaki on Saturday for Myers and his apprentice Lily Sutherland.
Dominating the jumping scene is nothing new for Myers having taken out four of the last five Jumping Trainers’ Premierships, a title he secured comfortably this season with 23 wins, with a further 24 on the flat placing him in ninth overall.
“Kevin is a master at his work, he knows how to get his horses perfectly fit and jumping brilliantly which he has been proving for years with so many winners. We’ve got a fantastic team which helps, but Kevin’s processes are just superb,” Joshua Parker said.
“He cares a lot about his horses and he’s extremely intelligent. Speaking to him, he loves to have a laugh and joke around, but he’s usually just testing whether we know what we’re talking about.
“He works very hard doing the cows then onto the horses then back to the farm work, you wonder how he keeps up with it all. But, it’s just second nature to him and that’s reflected in how successful his operation is.
“He can read a race unbelievably well, even before it’s been run. I’m only riding one horse, but he knows what every other horse in the field is going to do.
“There is never a dull moment with Kevin Myers around.”
Parker will be heading to Christchurch with Myers’ team at short notice for the upcoming Grand National Week, commencing next Saturday with key lead-up races to the feature contests a week later.
“I’m looking forward to riding in the Koral and Grand National, as a child in the UK all you dream of is riding in that race. Obviously it’s a bit different to the English version, but it’s still ticking off a box on the bucket list,” he said.
“Kevin will have some lovely horses heading down there, and I’ve got a great ride in Auld Jock for Peter and Jess Brosnan who have been great supporters of me. He went fantastic at Wellington behind The Cossack, he just keeps improving at every run. I’m feeling very positive about him and cannot wait to get down there.
“I got told it’s a bit cold, but it’ll be like being back home.
“Stephan (Karnicnik) told me to go in the truck on the way down, he said I would be like a dog out of the window because the views are just amazing. Hopefully we have some nice weather so I get to see it all.
“I’ve gotten a lot of race experience that will be a big positive when I head back to the UK, and I can’t wait to come back again next season and hopefully I can bring a few friends (jockeys) over too.”
