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The Yamanin Vital factor has served Mark Oulaghan well over the years and he has another outstanding prospect by the late southern stallion on his hands in Upper Cut.
The eight-year-old added another prestige race victory to the Awapuni trainer’s record with a home track triumph in Saturday’s LJ Hooker Manawatu Steeplechase.
Oulaghan has previously enjoyed success with a number of jumpers by Yamanin Vital, who stood at the Anderton family’s White Robe Lodge, over the years.They include the two time Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdles winner Counter Punch and the Grand National and Waikato Hurdles winner Yourtheman, who also won a Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase.
Oulaghan also prepared Yamanin Vital’s best son Who Shot Thebarman to win the Gr.1 Auckland Cup before he placed in the Melbourne and Sydney Cups for Sydney trainer Chris Waller.Oulaghan’s conditioning skills were again highlighted by Upper Cut, who has been set for next month’s Grand National Steeplechase, in his first run over the big fences since September.
“I was a bit apprehensive about the race and whether he was ready in that ground,” he said. “He’ll probably go to Hawke’s Bay and then we’ll take him down south.“He won’t go to Wellington though, I don’t think he’s a figure eight horse.”
Upper Cut was ridden by Daniel Miller, who brought the gelding with a determined late charge after the final fence to take top honours.“He was only just on the bridle coming round the bend and I didn’t think I would pick them up, but he really dashed home,” he said.
Their finish was a body blow for Mr Mor, who led over the last two flights and looked set for victory until Upper Cut wound up. The favourite Carinya finished third ahead of The Fox, who had given a great sight in front.