High Forty for Northern Steeplechase

High Forty is to race on the flat at Ashburton on Friday (26/08/2016) en route to Auckland for the $125.000 Great Northern Steeplechase eight days later said co-trainer Brian Anderton. High Forty finished fourth in the Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton at his last start on August 13 when unsuited by the rain affected track. He won the National 12 months earlier.  High Forty will be taken north by stable apprentice Jacob Lowry, stopping over at Riccarton and Bulls before his final destination with the Paul Richards - Williams stable at Karaka. Brian started Lord Venture in the 1986 Northern when the race was run in June. Lord Venture finished second, beaten a long head by Rock Crystal, trained by his brother, Hec for the estate of their mother, Alice. Lord Venture won the New Zealand Grand National Hurdles two months later and the 1988 National Steeple. Brian started his 1984 National Steeple winner, Bymai in the 1985 Northern, finishing eighth to Hunterville, who won the race for a third successive year. One Chance won the Racing Ministers Hurdles in June 1998 for WRL when ridden by Shane Anderton. One Chance fell in the Northern Hurdles a week later. The WRL-trained Nicholman who finished second in both the National Hurdles and Steeples, was unplaced in the 2007 Northern Hurdles.

*The first foal of Ghibellines, a colt out of Ali Rosa, has arrived at WRL. Ghibellines began stud duty last spring, serving 94 mares at WRL. Ali Rosa, the dam of winners Ali Vital (Australia) and George (Singapore) is a half-sister by Personal Escort to Narousa, winner of the Dunedin Cup, Grand National Hurdles and Great Northern Hurdles.

*The WRL-trained Willow led home her three stablemates in an 800m barrier trial at Wingatui on Tuesday (23/08/2016). It was the first serious work for them in fresh preparations. Willow (by Gallant Guru) had a win at Gore and three placings in five starts as a 3yr-old last season.

Results of trials:

Inside grass, slow

Maiden, 800m: Serve De Aunt R Roy 1; Millie Rose 2; Jandles 3. Three started. Nse, 2L. Time, 52.96. Trainers, B and S Anderton.

Open, 800m: Willow R Roy 1; Waylay 2; Coulee 3. Four started. Nk, 2L. Time, 52.67. Trainers, B and S Anderton.

Maiden and 1w, 1000m: Hold The Raddle D Kennedy 1; Colchester 2; Aviate 3. Five started. 2L, 3L. Time, 1.04.51. Trainer, T Kennedy.

Maiden, 1000m: Raise The Flag - Rosie O'Reilly 3f J Lowry 1; Itemize 2; Riding High 3. Four started. 3/4L, 1 1/4L. Time, 1.04.14. Trainer, T Kennedy.

*Brian and Lorraine Anderton have sold Gallantly, a half-sister by Gallant Guru to Who Shot Thebarman for $20,000 at auction in Melbourne. Gallantly won over 2200m on the Gold Coast in 2015 when trained by Liam Birchley. Brian has retained fillies by Nom du Jeu (Serve De Aunt) and Raise The Flag out of Ears Carol, the dam of Who Shot The Barman and Gallantly.