Leitrim Lad all class in feature chase

[Wandering Eyes]

Versatile galloper Leitrim Lad (NZ) (Tavistock) bounced back into winning form over the bigger fences at Te Aroha on Sunday, claiming a comfortable victory in the Te Aroha Veterinary Services Te Aroha Cup (3500m).

A winner of 11 races on the flat, Leitrim Lad has successfully stepped into the jumping role over the past couple of seasons and impressed when winning a restricted open steeplechase at the course in mid-June.

The son of Tavistock didn’t back up that performance when finishing midfield in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) last time out, but with a gear change, punters didn’t lose faith, backing Leitrim Lad into clear $2.70 favouritism over Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) winner Smug ($4.70).

In the hands of regular rider Emily Farr, Leitrim Lad cruised up to be near the speed early, settling into a good rhythm alongside Super Spirit. The open chase field put on a professional display of jumping throughout and all were well in contention at the 800m, where another key rival in Obrigado began to make up ground on Leitrim Lad.

Farr didn’t panic and got over the second to last fence safely, and with his pace on the flat, Leitrim Lad was able to hold off any challengers, clearing the last and powering clear to win by an extending 4 – ½ lengths to Obrigado and an improved Izymydaad.

Farr was delighted with the result, having won four of her seven starts aboard the eight-year-old.

“He’s an absolute superstar, and even today, you only feel like you’re in third gear when you’re going pretty fast,” Farr said.

“When he won here last time it was exactly the same, and at Te Rapa, he made a little bit of a noise, so we put the noseband on and he’s come back.”

She commended the efforts of Leitrim Lad’s trainer Eamonn Green, who also bred and races the $333,000 earner.

“To keep the old boy – as I call him – going as well as he is, it’s amazing,” Farr said. “Kenny Rae has a lot to do with Eamonn’s training as well, and Eamonn adores every single horse he has.

“He does a wonderful job.”

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