THE Eric Musgrove-trained Gobstopper is fast becoming a jumping specialist at Warrnambool, having won his third jumps race from as many starts at the track in the Lafferty Hurdle on Sunday.
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Winner of a restricted hurdle at Warrnambool in March before winning the Galleywood Hurdle in May, Gobstopper, with Darryl Horner Jr in the saddle, defeated Woodsman by a length with Ancient King back in third place in Sunday's feature hurdle race over 3200 metres.
The seven-year-old won the Australian Hurdle at Sandown after his Galleywood victory.
Musgrove said Gobstopper was a bulletproof jumper.
Gobstopper ticks a lot of boxes as far as a jumper is concerned.
- Eric Musgrove
"Gobstopper ticks a lot of boxes as far as a jumper is concerned," the respected trainer said.
"He stays all day, handles all types of going and jumps well. We'll look at taking him to the Dreschler Hurdle for his next start and then the Grand National Hurdle."
Horner was fined $400 by stewards for his celebratory gesture at the finishing line.
Meanwhile, Bit Of A Lad ridden by Warrnambool based jumps jockey Shane Jackson won the other jumps feature the Thackeray Steeplechase for the training combination of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Maher said he was confident before the race Bit Of A Lad could win the 3450 metre race.
"Bit Of A Lad is just such a tough horse," he said.
"I thought he was the one to beat.
"I've got to give all the credit to my brother Declan and our staff at Ballarat. .They have done a wonderful job keeping the fitness edge on Bit Of A Lad.
"It was a great ride by Jacko. He's having a great run for our stable winning the Grand Annual on Ablaze and then his wins on Bit Of A Lad in the Australian Steeplechase and Thackeray."
Bit Of A Lad took his stake earnings to more then $480,000 with his Thackeray victory.
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