Gogong wins 2nd National

Press, 15 July 1985, Page 34

Gogong wins 2nd National

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney They’re calling steel-grey New Zealand jumper Gogong “the Iron Horse” after he led from start to finish to win the sAust62,ooo Grand National Steeplechase over 5000 m at Flemington on Saturday. The Rangong six-year-old, humping 68kg top weight, outsprinted the nine-horse field to the first of the 28 fences then turned on a powerful exhibition of jumping to hold on in front and hold off a late challenge from another New Zealander, Region, and take his second Grand National Steeple by a length. His trainer, Leo Robinson, was on Saturday counting as a blessing in disguise the fall which robbed the gelding of his chance of winning the first leg of the rich winter jumps double, the Grand National Hurdles a week earlier. Robinson said the fall, Gogong’s first, was the result of the horse getting “a bit cheeky” and it probably taught him to respect the jumps in future. He said a start in the Hisken Steeple, which Gogong also won last year, would depend on the weight his charge is given. For the other two New Zealanders in the race, the

'National became a case of waiting for next time. Region, ridden by the New Zealand jockey, Stephen Jenkins, finished powerfully for second after appearing to land flatfooted at his last jump, but while he passed Tengah Hari in the straight, he could not get close enough to Gogong, who managed to find a last ounce of energy under a vigorous ride from Hillis. Leo Robinson had a last word of warning for the pundits when he told journalists after the race that while he expected to be back in Melbourne next year with Gogong, it might be 1987 before the best is seen of the six-year-old. “He has only had 60 races so I hope to keep him going for another four years at least,” he said. (T.A.B. code: BRS) GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE $60,000; 500 M 1-1 GOGONG 1 68 P. Hillis 1 4-3 REGION 2 63 S. Jenkins 2 6-6 TENGAH HARI 10 60.5 N. Harnett. . . 3 Others in finishing order: 5-5 The Orchadist, 3-2 Crownon, 2-4 Contract, 9-9 Hasty Manor, 8-8 French Veneer, 7-7 Arkolette (pulled up). Len, 2 len. Time: 5:51.9. Win: $1.65. Places: $l, $l.BO, $4. Quinella $8.45. T.A.B. trifecta: $127.85.