The $400,000 Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat on Sunday was billed as either a crowning of an established star or the unveiling of a new hero, but instead it turned into a showcase of Mark Walker’s training brilliance.
Known primarily in Australia for his association with 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz, the New Zealand conditioner swept the trifecta in the 4500-metre highlight, closing out Ballarat’s jumps season in remarkable fashion.
Leaderboard, guided by Will Gordon, surged clear to win by an emphatic 25 lengths over stablemate The Mighty Spar, with Prismatic a further half-length away in third.
The result was made even more decisive when $1.75 favourite Noonday Gun fell at the final fence after looking set to launch a late challenge. Walker praised the effort of his team and the value these jumpers bring to his yard.
“It was just great to see all three horses come back safe and the girls that strap them, Hayley with the winner, Emma with The Mighty Spar and Lisa with Prismatic, they just love these horses,” Walker said.
“They’ve sort of got a dual-purpose, too. They help out in the stables with the yearlings and they’ve got the yearlings going really well this year, so it’s a dual-purpose theme.”
Champion rider Steven Pateman attempted a more patient ride on Stern Idol, the $3.40 second elect, but the topweight could not replicate his best and weakened 700m from home. He was also involved in an incident with Noonday Gun at the third-last fence before fading to fourth, almost 27 lengths behind the winner.
Noonday Gun’s dramatic fall robbed the race of a thrilling finale, but both horse and jockey Tom Ryan escaped unscathed, with the runner quickly back on his feet.
For Gordon, it was a breakthrough Grand National triumph.
“I can’t really believe it. I went out there with no pressure, just riding the race and riding the horse, and going down the back that last time I thought, ‘I’ve still got a bit of horse, so I might be in the finish’. He’s just a legend,” Gordon said.
“It’s great because this is one of the ones I’ve been missing off the mantelpiece.”
Leaderboard’s triumph was the pinnacle of his career to date. The 11-year-old son of Street Cry, a former Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner in New Zealand, has now amassed $861,388 in earnings after beginning his racing journey in Ireland.
