Racing
Stern Idol brilliant in Sandown win
Stern Idol has collected a third straight Crisp Steeplechase victory at Sandown.
The door remains ajar for Stern Idol to have a third attempt at the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat after a stroll in the park victory at Sandown.
Stern Idol took out a third consecutive Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) when leading throughout and in an ominous warning to his rivals, jockey Steven Pateman said Sunday's victory was the best the gelding had felt.
Sent out a long odds-on favourite, Stern Idol was throttled down to win by 15 lengths from Not Usual Dream with Field Of Lights a half-length away third.
Stern Idol lumped 71kg on Sunday having won the Crisp Steeplechase in previous years carrying 69kg and 70kg and then followed up heading to Ballarat later in August but retired from the Grand National Steeplechase carrying 71kg and 73kg respectively.
This year's Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) has been brought forward two weeks and will be run on August 17.
"Everyone is going to ask about Ballarat, but he's had a great prep, so I'll leave that up to the team," Pateman said.
"Today was actually another gallop.
"It's crazy to say, but he felt the best he ever has today, and he looked amazing, so a shout out to the Ballarat crew.
"They just had him on today and he absolutely galloped."
Stern Idol was given an easy time in the first half of the race before Pateman applied the pressure racing up the hill the second time.
By the time the top of the hill was reached, Stern Idol had opened a 25-length margin on his rivals.
"Half-way up the hill I couldn't hear the horses behind me," Pateman said.
"Usually when you're in front you can hear the horses jumping the fences, but I didn't want to look around, but after that I had about 10 looks around.
"It's a funny feeling riding him as you get a feeling, you're the only one who can muck it up.
"At the second-last, I was looking down and not at the fence because I didn't want to start organising him, I looked up and he wings it.
"Coming to the last, because we're as good as home, I look up, he jumps it fine, safely and smart."
Trainer Ciaron Maher was not on course to watch Stern Idol go through his paces having arrived from the UK earlier on Sunday morning having been at Goodwood to watch Carl Spackler run in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes.
"He didn't have much to say about today when I spoke to him, that's because we're lucky to have such a brilliant horse," Pateman said.
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