REIGNING Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase winner No Song No Supper pleased his trainer Patrick Payne with a steeple school at Warrnambool on Sunday – days out from the nine-year-old’s attempt to go back-to-back in the famous race.
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No Song No Supper joined stablemate Slowpoke Rodriguez in their final workout for Thursday’s $300,000 race, while New Zealand-trained Lucky Tonight and Grand Annual hopefuls Deliberate and Al Shahn were also put through their paces on heavy ground.
Payne said No Song No Supper had recovered well from runs in the Von Doussa and Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank over the Easter break.
“I just came down with my horses to let them have a look around. They’re in good shape,” he said.
Champion jumps jockey Steven Pateman will decide by Monday afternoon if he rides No Song No Supper or I’ll’ava’alf in the Annual.
Lucky Tonight's trainer Shelley Houston said her jumper needed to familiarise himself with the tricky jumps in the paddocks.
“I came to Warrnambool with Lucky Tonight last year for a steeple trial,” she said.
“I wanted to give him a look around at the left-hand turn at the bottom of the hill.
“Our jockey Richard Cully was happy with how Lucky Tonight schooled over the fences.
“We've had the Grand Annual on our mind for the last couple of years.
“The 5500 metres is right up his alley. He's matured a lot physically and mentally over the past year.”
