Champion Down Pat with Ellerslie Winning Post
Hypnotize (NZ)
As far as winning posts go, New Zealand’s champion jumper Hypnotize (NZ) has Ellerslie’s down pat.
Of his seven starts there, the Yamanin Vital gelding has won six.
In the one race that the 11-year-old missed, there was only one horse who beat him home.
Yet whilst this record is impressive enough, it pales in comparison when seen in full context.
Of his seven starts there, the Yamanin Vital gelding has won six.
In the one race that the 11-year-old missed, there was only one horse who beat him home.
Yet whilst this record is impressive enough, it pales in comparison when seen in full context.
Trained in Wanganui by Raymond Connors, who part-owns the gelding along with father Mark, Hypnotize (NZ) escalated his career earnings to NZ$324,028 with a weight and history defying performance on Saturday.
Under the guidance of regular pilot, Isaac Lupton and a significant 70.5kg hcp, Hypnotize (NZ) won his third Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m).
Put in perspective, it is a gruelling challenge that not only tests the horses stamina with three trips over Ellerslie’s Hill, but a race that calls upon athleticism and courage with 25 imposing obstacles along the way to help weed out the winner from the wannabes.
To win it once is a terrific achievement. To win it three times under the biggest weight carried to success in over 50 years, and you have deservedly made your way into the history books as one of New Zealand’s greatest jumpers.
In the races 126-year history, only Hunterville has previously achieved the threepeat.
Add to this that Hypnotize (NZ) also won his third Pakuranga Hunt Cup Steeplechase (4900m) at his very first jumps outing this preparation at Ellerslie two weeks ago, and it is only natural to picture the horse as being a strapping individual.
Under the guidance of regular pilot, Isaac Lupton and a significant 70.5kg hcp, Hypnotize (NZ) won his third Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m).
Put in perspective, it is a gruelling challenge that not only tests the horses stamina with three trips over Ellerslie’s Hill, but a race that calls upon athleticism and courage with 25 imposing obstacles along the way to help weed out the winner from the wannabes.
To win it once is a terrific achievement. To win it three times under the biggest weight carried to success in over 50 years, and you have deservedly made your way into the history books as one of New Zealand’s greatest jumpers.
In the races 126-year history, only Hunterville has previously achieved the threepeat.
Add to this that Hypnotize (NZ) also won his third Pakuranga Hunt Cup Steeplechase (4900m) at his very first jumps outing this preparation at Ellerslie two weeks ago, and it is only natural to picture the horse as being a strapping individual.
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The reality is much more interesting.
“He’s not your stereotypical jumper. Traditionally jumpers have been big and robust 16.2hh size horses. Hypnotize, on the other hand, is about 16hh and he’s pretty standard, you might even say he’s nothing to look at,” said jockey Isaac Lupton.
“To be able to carry the weight, you would think he would need to be a big horse, but yet he carries it better than any of them.”
It would also be natural to assume the Brian, Hec and Lorraine Anderton-bred horse was a dashing jumper, but again this is not necessarily the case.
“He’s feels safe when you are riding him. You wouldn’t say he was a bad jumper, but he is not a quick jumper,” said Lupton.
Surprisingly, the half-brother to a Gr.3 winner also battles with speed and the Hill.
“The Pakuranga Hunt tends to be run at a faster tempo than the Northern and although he travelled quite well this year, he usually struggles a bit,” said Lupton.
“He also battles a bit with the run down the Hill. He can’t run down the hill as fast as the Browne horses that’s for sure.
“What he does count in his favour though is he’s a real good stayer, particularly when on a wet track.”
As a consequence of his slightly slower jumping style and downward hill action, it is not until the very end of his races that Hypnotize (NZ) well and truly comes into his own.
“He seems to know where the post is and when the other horses are all starting to tie up, he is still going strong,” he said.
“He’s not your stereotypical jumper. Traditionally jumpers have been big and robust 16.2hh size horses. Hypnotize, on the other hand, is about 16hh and he’s pretty standard, you might even say he’s nothing to look at,” said jockey Isaac Lupton.
“To be able to carry the weight, you would think he would need to be a big horse, but yet he carries it better than any of them.”
It would also be natural to assume the Brian, Hec and Lorraine Anderton-bred horse was a dashing jumper, but again this is not necessarily the case.
“He’s feels safe when you are riding him. You wouldn’t say he was a bad jumper, but he is not a quick jumper,” said Lupton.
Surprisingly, the half-brother to a Gr.3 winner also battles with speed and the Hill.
“The Pakuranga Hunt tends to be run at a faster tempo than the Northern and although he travelled quite well this year, he usually struggles a bit,” said Lupton.
“He also battles a bit with the run down the Hill. He can’t run down the hill as fast as the Browne horses that’s for sure.
“What he does count in his favour though is he’s a real good stayer, particularly when on a wet track.”
As a consequence of his slightly slower jumping style and downward hill action, it is not until the very end of his races that Hypnotize (NZ) well and truly comes into his own.
“He seems to know where the post is and when the other horses are all starting to tie up, he is still going strong,” he said.