| Any questions
that Cranbourne trainer Matthew Hyland and jockey Wayne Smith had about the jumping
ability of their representative at Terang on New Year’s day, were left well and truly
"Unanswered" following the Bill Roycroft Open Hurdle over 2900 metres. Making his hurdling debut, the 5 yo gelding delivered on the promise
shown in over 12 months of schooling- holding his rivals at bay with a front running
performance that impressed both trainer and jockey.
Although possessing his share of galloping ability - which
included two victories last preparation - it was always the plan to switch the son of
Tirol (IRE) to hurdling once he stopped paying his way on the flat, a decision that reaped
instant rewards for his connections.
Unanswered began his initial schooling as a 3 yo, but was
given plenty of time by the astute Hyland prior to a career change, which could prove to
pay dividends in the long term.
"I’ve had this horse right from the start and he
was a very slow maturer, so I was in no rush with him". Hyland explained.
Raceday postilion, Wayne Smith- who knows Unanswered as
well as anyone, having had the responsibility of educating the horse in the art of
jumping- believes that he appears to have all the right credentials to make the grade
amongst more esteemed company in the future.
"He’s definitely capable of going on with
it" Smith stated following the victory. "He’s always shown potential as a
jumper, right from the first time we schooled him. It really transformed this horse. He
tended to have a mind of his own, but within a week was a different horse." he
stated.
And temperament can play a decisive part in determining how
far a horse can progress in this discipline, with fleet of mind being just as important as
fleet of foot.
Whilst Unaswered gave his rider little cause for concern in
the run, things didn’t actually pan out as hoped, with Smith being left to set the
tempo for the race rather than being able to camp just off the leaders as he would have
preferred.
"Each time I had another runner move up alongside me,
he’d pick the bit up beautifully and really wanted to race - but as soon as he found
himself out in front again he tended to switch off" said Smith.
Given that this was his first real pressure test, the
result was very heartening and a rise through the ranks for Unanswered is definitely not
out of the question. In fact, the Easter Oakbank carnival may well be within the realms of
possibility according to his trainer, who is of the opinion if he can keep mixing the
geldings hurdle starts with sufficient runs on the flat, may well be ideally presented for
an assignment in the Adelaide foothills come mid April.
Smith echoed these thoughts and backed by his 14 years of
experience on the cross country circuit, we may well respect the forecast. He believes
that Unanswered would be ideally placed around the undulating course, stating
"The track is very similar in layout to Sandown with
it’s rise along the back and the downhill run to the home straight - but on a far
more extreme scale - which would suit his style of racing".
Aside from the winner, runner up, Crenshaw didn’t do
his reputation any harm either, improving from his debut effort when fourth here last
month, with Tijuana Taxi filling the minor place at his first effort over the sticks. The
disappointment of the race was undoubtedly the 5th. placing of Salad Touch who ran well
below his best after being given the run of the race and now giving trainer Eric Musgrove
the task of deciding where to from here.
But there was certainly no disappointment for Wayne Smith
as he wrapped up a sensational day at the office later in the afternoon with success in
the 1600 metre Maiden plate aboard Killruddery, coincidentally also prepared by Matthew
Hyland, giving him a unique jumps-flat double, something which is not unknown to the hoop.
"I’ve probably achieved that at least half a
dozen times, but that’s the first in a long while...most of those were a long time
ago !" he added.
At this time of the year, Smith has no hesitation in
securing rides on the flat to complement his cross country engagements, being able to get
down to around 57 kgs with the aid of the warmer weather.
Killruddery, like his stablemate, is also following a path
toward a hurdling career and it is likely that by this time next year he will be joining
the ranks of the Hyland jumping brigade.
A former successful jockey on the flat until weight got the
better of him, Hyland is enjoying training these horses to negotiate the obstacles, but is
quite content that he didn’t try to prolong his career in the saddle by switching to
the caper of cross country riding.
"I was too smart for that !!" he insisted with a
chuckle, but has great respect and admiration for those that have taken that path.
So whilst the meeting may have gone unheralded by many in
the industry, those that ventured out to Terang may have been given a sneak preview of
some rising new talent - and those that didn’t can always...........
" GO JUMP "
Don Cooper |
