Post-Race Analysis:
Nashville, Tennessee May 12, 2001: New Zealand sensation Rand (NZ)
romped to victory in the $100,000 Grade I Iroquois, defeating steeplechase
Champion All Gong (GB) by 9 3/4 lengths. Electron finished another
five lengths back in third. The time for the three-mile Iroquois,
the longest Grade I hurdle race on the National Steeplechase Association
(NSA) schedule, was 5:35.
Electron went straight to the front and lead the six-horse field
for all but the last quarter mile. Rand stalked him from second
place and made a bold move around the last turn, quickly leaving
the rest of the field in his wake. All Gong tried to move with Rand
but didn't have the same punch as the New Zealand invader.
''I was just sitting on Electron,'' said winning Kiwi jockey Eddie
Lamb after the race. ''Then I pushed the button and we still had
plenty left. He's the best horse in the world. I've said that all
along and he's starting to prove it. He's a huge horse. I'd love
to wear his heart.''
Winning trainer Mark Oulaghan said that both he and Rand will return
to New Zealand for a rest before possibly returning to Japan and
the United States next year. "He's a big, strong horse with
a good attitude.'' Said Oulaghan after the race. "He has a
lot of talent."
Rand's victory in the Grade I Iroquois was the fourth by a different
horse in each of the four unrestricted Grade I steeplechase races
that have been carded by the NSA so far this year: Al Skywalker
won the Carolina Cup; Electron won the Atlanta Cup; and Pompeyo
(Chi) won the Royal Chase. All Gong finished second in all three
of the Grade I races that he has contested this year: the Atlanta
Cup, the Royal Chase and the Iroquois.
The Iroquois was Rand's second start in the United States. The
big gray horse was undefeated in all seven of his career starts
over fences (six in New Zealand and one in Japan) before he was
brought down by a fallen horse in the $1.3 million Nakayama Grand
Jump on April 14th. He then finished third in the Grade I Royal
Chase at Keeneland on April 27th. Rand is by Omnicorp (a grandson
of Australia's perennial leading sire Sir Tristram) out of a New
Zealand-bred mare by Amyntor (Fr) (by Sir Gaylord). As such, Rand
is in-bred to Sir Gaylord 3x5. He is owned by Eamon Cleary, who
races stables in both Ireland and New Zealand.
Reigning United States steeplechase Champion All Gong (GB) is still
looking for his first victory since last year's Breeders' Cup Steeplechase
after having finished second in all three of his starts this year.
The English-bred son of Kris (by Sharpen Up) was also second in
the 2000 edition of the Iroquois, losing to Pinkie Swear by 1 1/2
lengths. All Gong is owned by Calvin Houghland and was ridden by
Blythe Miller, who was aboard the 7-year-old for both of his Grade
I victories last year.
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All Gong and jockey Blythe Miller have
now finished second in all three of his Grade I starts this
year.
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Electron stayed well to finish third in the Iroquois, beaten five
lengths by All Gong. The 8-year-old gelding is by Breeders' Cup
Classic winner Wild Again (by Icecapade) and is out of a half-sister
to Canadian champion Izvestia. He is owned and trained by Dr. John
Griggs, who campaigned 1994 steeplechase Champion Warm Spell. Electron
could have been claimed for $20,000 as recently as March 11th of
this year.
The race was marred by the death of Rowdy Irishman, who went down
after the 15th fence when he suffered an apparent heart attack.
''It could happen to any horse at any time,'' said Iroquois chairman
Henry Hooker of Rowdy Irishman's demise. ''Rowdy was 12 years old,
and a lot of horses race at that age, and come out of it healthy.
I don't think it was anything that was predictable, it was just
one of those things that happens in racing that's very sad. That's
what racing has: the triumph and the tragedy.'' Hooker said Iroquois
race officials have offered to bury Rowdy Irishman at Percy Warner
Park, the site of his 1998 and 1999 victories in the Grade I Iroquois.
Rowdy Irishman bankrolled $644,528 over his illustrious career,
the third highest total amongst United States steeplechase horses.
''He's been a great old warrior and maybe he's in a better place,''
said jockey Craig Thornton, who finished third on Electron. ''He
was a very courageous horse and he had a ton of courage."
Mrs. Stephen C. Clark's Avanico lost Englishman jockey David Bentley
at the eighth of 18 fences. Rarity Bay pulled up after approximately
two miles.
Sharon Sheppard's Greek Hero scratched.
Click here for Daily Racing Form past
performance charts for the Iroquois (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).
Past performance charts are provided by the Daily
Racing Form.
To play the Steeplestakes.com Spring 2001 Handicapping Contest
click here.
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Results:
|
PP
|
Horse
|
lbs
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
Owner
|
|
1
|
Rand (NZ) |
158 |
E. Lamb |
M.Oulaghan |
Eamon Cleary |
|
2
|
All Gong (GB) |
158 |
B. Miller |
F.B. Miller |
Calvin Houghland |
|
3
|
Electron |
158 |
C. Thornton |
J. Griggs |
John K. Griggs |
|
LR
|
Avanico |
158 |
D. Bentley |
J. Lawrence |
Mrs. Stephen C. Clark |
|
PU
|
Rowdy Irishman |
158 |
C. Miller |
B. Haynes |
Vesta Balestiere |
|
PU
|
Rarity Bay |
158 |
J. Petty |
F.B. Miller |
Calvin Houghland |
|
Scr
|
Greek Hero |
|
|
A. Murphy |
Sharron E. Sheppard |
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Pedigree of Winner
RAND (NZ) G, 1994 DP = 1-4-5-0-2
(12) DI = 1.67 CD = 0.17
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Pedigrees compliments of Del
Mar Pedigree Query
Post-Race Analysis | Results
| Pedigree
