I've Got This (middle) jumping the last on his way winning the Electrolux McGregor Grant Steeplechase

By: Mark Nowell

I've Got This came with a barnstorming finish to capture an action packed $50,000 Electrolux McGregor Grant Steeplechase, in the final bound of the 4150 metre event at Ellerslie yesterday.

The six-year-old switched to his jumping role after only one win in 24 starts on the flat. Having only his seventh jumping start, the gelding won his third and one of this country's biggest jumping races.

Two-time champion and race-favourite Amanood Lad was brilliantly ridden by Champion Australian jumping jockey Steven Pateman, and looked likely to take out the feature jumping event, until the second-to-last fence when the pair were hampered and Pateman was dislodged.

The mishap left Brer in front but he was quickly joined by the Kevin Myers-trained pair Snodroptwinkletoes and I've Got This over the last 400 metres. There was interference on the final bend between the stablemates and along with Brer the three fought out a titantic battle down the Ellerslie straight.

With neither horse's nor riders giving an inch, the final stages was a truly spectacular jumping spectacle with I've Got This getting up in the last bound to beat Snodroptwinkletoes. Brer, was an unlucky runner after being squeezed out of the outside rail by the winner after jumping the last, finishing three and a half lengths away in third place. It was surprising that stewards didn't look into the final stages of the race, as Brer had to change course dramatically. The result may have stayed the same, but the public could have been given more reassurance that the placings were in check.

"It's unbelievable. I thought he felt flat on the hill the last time. I was pretty sure Snodroptwinkletoes had it. But he really dug deep after the last jump and he's got up. It's just fantastic," winning rider Shaun Fannin said.

Bred and raced by the Hawkins family of Wentwood Grange, I've Got This is by Casino Prince, winner of the Chipping Norton Stakes, out of the Danasinga mare Louders.

I've Got This has now had 32 starts for four wins and more than $72,000 in prize-money.