Gail Temperton isn’t under-estimating the part the Irish factor is playing in the development of her jumper Just Ishi.
The Awapuni horsewoman produced the nine-year-old to thump his rivals in Saturday’s Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase with major winter targets to follow at Trentham and, in all likelihood, at Riccarton.
Following Just Ishi’s runaway Hastings success, Temperton was quick to praise the role the Irish-born jockey Gary Walsh has had in the horse’s emergence.
“He rode another fantastic race and you just can’t say enough about someone with his experience,” she said.
Walsh has been aboard Just Ishi in all three of his victories over the big fences and he has also partnered the son of Ishiguru in two wins over hurdles and one in a highweight.
The Palmerston North-based jockey gave another polished display on the horse at Hastings where they jogged along behind the pace before making their bid 600 metres from home. Just Ishi coasted to the front and careered away to score by 16 lengths.
“I think we’ll probably go to Trentham for the Wellington Steeplechase next,” Temperton said.
“We are taking it a step at a time and today was over an extra 800 metres and Trentham will be a bit further again.”
All going well, Just Ishi is likely to head south for the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase on August 12. Fair Script was a distant second on Saturday with Tizza Secret and Mr Mor, whose interrupted lead-up found him out, next to finish.
“He got injured in the Waikato Steeplechase when he opened up an old scar and he missed a bit of work,” said J. J. Rayner, who trains the 12-year-old with her father Evan.
