VETERAN jumper Wells continues to amaze part-owner and Warrnambool Racing Club chairman Nick Rule with his courage and stamina, claiming his third victory in the Mosstrooper Steeplechase at Pakenham on Sunday.
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The 11-year-old defies his age by continuing to compete at the highest level, and Rule credited his success to trainer Kathryn Durden, her husband Craig and top jumps jockey Richard Cully.
"Kathryn and Craig have done a wonderful job with Wells," he said.
"They have nursed him during his career and Richard has a great understanding in riding Wells.
"It's a big thrill to win three Mosstroopers.
"It gets very nerve-wracking watching him in his races.
"Kathryn will now set him for the Crisp Steeplechase and then we'll try and win our fourth Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat in August."
From his 10 jumps starts, Wells has won seven races. Cully has been in the saddle on five occasions.
ONE MORE?
NOVICE jumper One For Later may have her last run in the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle at Sandown on August 4.
One For Later ran second with Darryl Horner in the saddle in a restricted hurdle at Pakenham on Sunday. The performance pleased Warrnambool trainer Alan Peterson.
The former top local jockey said the eight-year-old deserved a crack at a start in the Grand National Hurdle.
"I'll be putting in an entry for the Grand National Hurdle," Peterson said.
"I'm not really sure she'll run out the 4200 metres, but she can't win the race in the stable at home.
"We'll put in an entry and see where we end up. Darryl is quietly confident she'll run the distance.
Peterson, who has only three horses in work, said One For Later needed a dead track rating to show her best in the Grand National.
"She's won on heavy ground before but I think her best efforts are on dead rated tracks," he said.
"The Grand National could be her last start. She's given her connections a lot to cheer about during her career."
One For Later has won more than $230,000 in stakemoney during her career.
WAITING GAME
RESPECTED Crossley trainer Quinton Scott has no ambitious plans for his lightly raced galloper Nicajon.
The four-year-old captured the attention of punters at his second start with a second placing in maiden company at the Warrnambool May Carnival before winning his maiden at Geelong.
Scott sent Nicajon to the spelling paddock immediately after his maiden win.
"Nicajon has been back in work and will possibly have a first-up run in a fortnight," he said.
"I'm still not really happy with him. He's a lightly framed immature horse.
"The penny hasn't dropped with him just yet. I think he may still be a preparation away from getting it all together.
"He's shown us a bit of ability but it's the immaturity that's holding him back. We've just had to be very patient with him.
"There's not many races for him coming up, but I'm hopeful he'll be right for the one in a fortnight."
Nicajon has earnt just over $20,000 in prizemoney from his three career starts.
HOLD UP
DRAINAGE works to fix a section of the track at Hamilton from the 1800 metre mark to the 1400 metre mark will start in early 2020.
Racing Victoria has ticked off the $100,000 in funding required to do the much-needed works, but due to recent heavy rain the works have been put on hold.
More than 75mm of rain has fallen at the racecourse since the start of July.
JESTER UNLUCKY
HONEST Hamilton galloper Jester Halo will resume work within weeks, with mares races in the spring on the agenda for the six-year-old.
Trainer Darren Kolpin said Jester Halo was unlucky in some of her races during her last campaign.
"I though we had her spot on for a mares race on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington," Kolpin said.
"We left Hamilton and the track at Flemington was rated a good four when we arrived on-course the track was a heavy eight.
"They had 40mm of rain within a few hours.
"Jester Halo just does not go in those sort of conditions.
"The heavy rain just knocked us out of the race and then in a couple of other races she just had no luck in the run."
The former talented jockey said Jester Halo looks a million dollars.
"I had a look at her the other day," Kolpin said.
"She's had a really good spell. I would say her main aim will be the mares race on Melbourne Cup Day.
"We've just got to work out suitable program to have her ready for that race and just hope we don't get a downpour of rain in the lead-up to the race."
From her 28 starts, Jester Halo has won six races and been in the minor placegetters' stall on seven occasions.
SADLER FINED
POPULAR jumps jockey Tom Sadler was $1000 out of pocket after his winning ride on Firefree in a restricted hurdle at Pakenham on Sunday.
Sadler pleaded guilty to breaching the provisions of AR115 in that he intentionally weighed out without his riding boots.