29/09/2025
Te Aroha – 19th September 2025
The Maiden Chases have certainly provided plenty of twists this year, so why should the final one of the season be any different? Well, it wasn’t, and the new Great NZ Carnival was away.
Most form analysis expected ENGLISH GAMBLER to lead, and that he certainly did, stringing the field out like Brown’s cows. But with a round to go, he decided it would be ridiculous to do another lap when the stabling area was so close. If the others wanted to carry on, well then, good luck to them. When he baulked and deposited Hamish McNEILL on the deck, GO BUTCH and Dean PARKER accepted the challenge and charged on. Entering the straight, their lead looked commanding. MR FABULOUS was chasing and INVISIBLE SPIRIT was closing, but both looked to be running for the minors until the leader crashed through the last. The finish turned into another head-bobber, with no one sure who had won or if it was a dead-heat. In the wash-up, INVISIBLE SPIRIT and Joshua PARKER prevailed by the smallest of margins.
The first of two Maiden Hurdles presented punters with a very even line-up. There had been confidence around UHTRED when he debuted at Woodville, and although it never came to fruition that day, he certainly demonstrated his ability this time. For many, you wanted to be on UHTRED a long way out, and after sitting patiently behind the leader at a relaxed pace, Hamish McNEILL slipped him a little leather nearing the home turn and he quickly put the issue beyond doubt. ZEE HEIGHT fought tenaciously again, while TUTIN CANS also ran on strongly.
The second of the Maidens provided another great race, but the real star attraction was up in the commentary box, with the “Voice of the Bool,” Ric McINTOSH, making his NZ debut on the mic. It was a treat to have him in attendance.
Onto the race itself, and the field set off at a good clip. WHO’S SAM made the early pace, but Jay KOZACZEK always had FIERCE FLIGHT within striking distance. Approaching the turn, we all wondered if GOOSEBUMPS could do the unthinkable, having stumbled out of the gates, when he ranged up. But despite an indifferent run at Hawera, FIERCE FLIGHT produced the finish most expected, pulling away for a comfortable win. GOOSEBUMPS was huge in second, while BROTHER MAX finished strongly in his first jumps start of the season.
There was an air of excitement as the field paraded for the main event, the inaugural J SWAP GREAT NZ Hurdle. It certainly drew a quality line-up, with some of our most prestigious hurdlers joined by several up-and-comers. Favouritism fell upon YOLO, but behind her the betting spread was very even.
As expected, HAPPY STAR again assumed the role of pacemaker, with Mathew GILLIES happy to sit close by on eventual winner TAIKA. In behind, the order stayed much the same for most of the running, and entering the back straight everyone was still in contention. Approaching the turn, it was on for young and old. YOLO pushed her way through to join the leaders and momentarily looked a huge threat, but while she punched the first up the lane, TAIKA stepped it up and put two lengths on his rivals. Although challenges loomed from the back, TAIKA was relentless on the improving track, and at the line had held off stablemate THE BAMBINO and last year’s winner LORD SPENCER.
Congratulations to Paul and Corina on providing the quinella, and well done to Matt in his comeback season. The race was a great spectacle and a fitting finale for the big-gun hurdlers, the depth bodes well for next season.
