Wotabuzz in fine Grand National trial

5th Aug 2012

Dashing jumper Wotabuzz (NZ) (His Royal Highness) presented trainer Mark Oulaghan with victories in two roles at Riccarton when he spread-eagled his opposition in the Sydenham Hurdles.

Wotabuzz (NZ) (His Royal Highness)

The Awapuni conditioner not only saddled the eight-year-old for a commanding victory, but also bred the gelding who is a son of the unraced Burnish (NZ) (Touching Wood). The Gr.1 Epsom Handicap winner Bold Diplomat (NZ) (Diplomatic Agent) a feature name in the pedigree.

Wotabuzz (NZ) showed a measure of the family’s ability on the flat with five minor wins and he has quickly made his mark over fences with three wins and three placings from his six jumping outings.

His dashing display on Saturday was undoubtedly his best performance with an outstanding front-running display that drew further attention to his prospects for Wednesday’s Grand National Hurdles.

With a lack of apparent pace in the Sydenham, Oulaghan had expected Wotabuzz (NZ) to make the running but he hadn’t expected him to open up a 25-length break on the field down the back straight.

“I thought if there wasn’t any pace he would lead, but I didn’t quite think he would do it like that,” he said. “It all panned out well though and the way he ran it out was rather encouraging.”

Wotabuzz (NZ) will have an extra 1000 metres to run in the Grand National and Oulaghan was hopeful he would take a more relaxed attitude to the race.

“He was still quite strong at the finish today, although he would probably have to settle a bit better in the National,” he said.

Wotabuzz (NZ) was by ridden stable employee Hayley Curran and they were lonely in front down the back straight. The gap was closed across the top but they jumped the final two fences neatly and were powerful to the line to score by eight lengths.

Maiden hurdler Limberlost (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) turned in a commendable effort to finish runner-up ahead of his stablemate Sea King (NZ) (Shinko King), who had bungled the third to last flight.