Highland Blaze continues impressive form over obstacles, taking Grand National Hurdle for Irish duo
Hitting the mile mark, race favourite The Cunning Fox ($2.40) began to rapidly retreat out of the contest and subsequently pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia.
At the same time, Jordan Hart put the hammer down aboard Highland Blaze ($4.80) and took a significant margin out of his rivals, opening up by four lengths passing the 1200m.
But jumping the final obstacle at the 300m, Right Now ($19) and the WA-owned Affluential ($4.60) had closed within a couple of lengths and were throwing down threats to the long-time leader.
However, Highland Blaze was merely kidding them and again scampered away up the run-in, streaking home to a five-length success.
It was just Hart's sixth career win from 64 rides and fellow Irishman, trainer Shane Jackson, only began outright training less than a year ago.
'What a horse. He came to me for the Jericho Cup and then has only had two weeks off,' Jackson said.
'He's done everything we've asked of him. What a superstar.'
It was Jackson's 100th race starter but his 32nd winner, giving the former jockey an amazing strike rate and further enhancing his affinity with the event, having won it twice as a rider.
He lauded the winning steer of Hart, saying he rode like a seasoned hoop.
'Brilliant for the jockey. He still claimed three kilos and he rode him like a professional,' Jackson said.
'He does a lot of work for me and he deserves his chance. He's ridden him perfectly every time.'
Hart has now partnered Highland Blaze in all his runs over obstacles, reaping four wins and a second from five starts.
'I started working with (Jackson) just before Christmas and he told me Highland Blaze would be going over the hurdles next season, and if I put in the work, I'd get the ride,' Hart said.
'My parents would be watching (in Ireland). They'd still be shouting at the TV. I know they had the alarm set for themselves from yesterday.'
Earlier, champion galloper Stern Idol ($1.08f) made light work of his opposition in the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m), landing his third successive win in the event.
The Ciaron Maher-trained nine-year-old took up the running and never looked like losing, easing down to the line with a 15-length buffer.
The gelding equalled the tally of the Maher-trained Bashboy with 14 wins over obstacles, though Bashboy won the Crisp four times between 2012 and 2015.
He may now enter the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on August 17 but has entered the contest in similar form over the last two years and failed to complete the course.
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