Rank outsider

By Paul Pickering
TRAINER Eric Musgrove scored his fourth M.J. Bourke Hurdle victory in the most unlikely of circumstances at Pakenham on Sunday.
His seven-year-old gelding Famous Prince was the rank outsider of the seven-horse field, going into the race as a maiden over the jumps.
But the $31 chance charged home to win by 3.5 lengths, leaving Musgrove, who recently moved his training base from Officer to Corinella, to eye the prestigious Australian and Grand National hurdles in the city this winter.
Famous Prince’s stunning win may not have lined the pockets of too many punters, but the local victory was the “feel-good” story of the Super Jumps card.
Significantly, the three jumps races – all over by 1pm – were run without incident, providing no ammunition for the small group of protesters who congregated at the far side of the track.
That was where Famous Prince made his challenge in the 53rd running of the M.J. Bourke Hurdle, pushing up to the lead and easing away from the Robbie Laing-trained favourite Bashboy as they approached the last fence.
His strong finish confirmed Musgrove’s belief in the Galileo-Celebrity Princess chestnut, who was third behind Bashboy at Warrnambool this month.
“I was never confident, but I believe he’s a good horse,” Musgrove said.
“He was still a maiden over the fences, so he could have gone in the other race (the Maiden Hurdle, race one), but he has given me an indication he may make a National horse.
“I think he stays very well, and that’s why I decided to have a crack at it.”
Sunday’s win also gave Musgrove’s charge the rating boost it needed to qualify for some of the big metropolitan races later this season.
The popular local trainer was also quick to note the significance of the event, given the Bourke family’s treasured place in the club’s history.
“It’s always a great race to win,” he beamed.
It was Arron Lynch who piloted Famous Prince to victory, but the ride of the race went to Brett Scott on third-placed Tigerriffic.
The Clinton McDonald-trained grey’s bridle slipped as he stumbled over an early hurdle, but Scott carried on – grasping the reins in one hand and the horse’s mane in the other – to complete the 3200m trip in an extraordinary display of horsemanship.
Meanwhile, the richest event on Sunday’s card, the $75,000 Great Southern Steeplechase – transferred from Mornington – was something of an anti-climax, with champion jumper and former winner Toulouse Lautrec being checked out of the running 1100m from the finish.
The imposing Chris Hyland-trained grey ran into midfield interference and never recovered, finishing fifth, some nine lengths behind Darren Weir’s Virvacity.
The Ballarat-trained eight-year-old won by four lengths from Cranbourne duo Royal Laddie and Destiny Calls.
Earlier, the first-up Maiden Hurdle was won by Grizz, another from McDonald’s Caulfield stable, surviving a protest from Pakenham trainer Matt Leek and connections of second-placed Father Dex.
In the inaugural Herb O’Neill Memorial Handicap, named after the late Pakenham racing identity who passed away last month, Mornington trainer David Racovolis scored with four-year-old mare Lisas Lago.
The race was sponsored by local trainers John Gunning and Julien Welsh in honour of their mate.
Pakenham Racing Club chief executive and racing manager Michael Hodge said the Super Jumps meeting – moved forward in the season to capitalise on the addition of the Great Southern Steeplechase – was a huge success.
“It was a faultless display of jumps racing and just a great day for everybody – the club, the participants and the racing industry,” he said.
“We were delighted to be given the opportunity (to host the relocated meeting), and delighted to have carried the day off so well.”