Aussie scores upset in Te Aroha hurdle

Letmeby (outer) clears the final fence on his way to victory at Te Aroha. Source: Kirsten Ledington

Visiting Australian jumps jockey Braidon Small upset the applecart when he guided rank outsider Letmeby to victory in Saturday’s Corson Maize Open Hurdle (3100m) at Te Aroha.

The eleven-year-old gelding had won his hurdle debut on the track in October last year but in six subsequent starts over the fences had failed to run in the money.

Co-trainer Graham Richardson put that down to misjudgement by riders in some of Letmeby’s earlier hurdle starts, as he praised Small for following instructions to the letter to land the victory.

“I told him to take off at the 1200m as he is one paced and you have to go then,” he said.

“If you wait any longer they all sprint and he can’t keep up with them, it’s as simple as that.

“While he is eleven he is only lightly raced and has fresh legs.”

Richardson confirmed his charge would return to the venue in a fortnight to contest the prestigious Schweppes Great Northern Hurdle (4150m).

“We’ll be back, absolutely,” he said. “It’s more distance so it will be easier to keep up and he is very well.”

Small was unsure if he would return to ride Letmeby in the Great Northern Hurdle, who he rated as a big chance on today’s performance.

“He did everything the trainer told me he would, as he can get back and flash late,” he said.

“He said if I could hold some sort of spot and get going down the back in clear room, that would be awesome.

“He jumped himself into third when I got him out and he needed all of the 3100m today. If he goes on to the Northern which is 4200m it would suit him even better.

“I’ve got a couple of rides back home that day, but I will sit down and have a good think about coming back.”

Race favourite Laekeeper battled on well for second after being forced into a pacemaking role due to a farcically slow early speed with maiden jumper Henry Tudor battling home well for third after looming as a winning chance in the run home.

Small made it a day to remember when he guided Caballo Noir to victory in a maiden steeplechase later on the card.

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