Bak Da Master Marvellous

Bak Da Master (7 g Mastercraftsman - Bak Da Princess, by Danske) showed his versatility in a slogging finish to the $15,000 Stallion Tender Now Open Maiden Steeplechase (3200m) on Saturday at Riccarton.

Among the best over hurdles, having finished second in the Waikato Hurdle (Prestige, 3200m) and fifth in the Wellington Hurdle (Prestige, 3100m) last time out, Bak Da Master added another string to his bow and continued the ride for owners in Te Akau Master Syndicate.

“I love the jumps, especially the steeplechases, and it was a special thrill to get a win on the first day of the Grand National carnival,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM.

“He's from the family of Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle) and I bought them both of the breeder Darrell Hollinshead and picked Bak Da Master out of the paddock.

“Jamie (Richards) has done a great job with this horse. Riccarton is a real stayers track and he had him trained to the minute. Michael (Roustoby) gave him a terrific ride. He's a champion bloke and a very important part of our stable.

“Our daughter Lydia Roseby (nee Ellis) pre-trained him here at the farm before he went into the stables at Matamata, and he did six weeks work around the hills. It's all helped him stay the distance in testing conditions and it was a really brave effort.”

The win kept intact a one-hundred percent record early in the new season, after Richard of Yorke (Oasis Dream), also ridden by Roustoby, won the Restricted Open Hurdle (3100m) last Sunday at Te Aroha.

The victory also exhibited the versatility of Jamie Richards, who has trained recent 1000 and 2000 Guineas' winners on the course.

“He's shown what a really good trainer can do, Jamie,” Ellis said. “He's doing the job with our two-year-olds, right through the age groups to older horses, and we're getting a real thrill out of these jumpers too.”

Rightly favoured in his first steeplechase attempt, Bak Da Master started race favourite and returned $3.80 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a great win and very satisfying,” Richards said. “The jumping game gets everyone pretty excited and its edge of the seat.

“It seemed a nice race to kick him off over the bigger fences. We thought he would enjoy the steeplechase course, but were unsure if he could cope with the heavy course-proper.

“The team at home had a done a really good job with him and he'd been over to school at Te Aroha, and we got him down south nice and early.

“Craig (Thornton) is looking after him and popped him over a few fences on Thursday, and he settled in well at Les and Richard Didham's, who are always accommodating when we go to Riccarton.

“It's good to support the Canterbury Jockey Club with my first steeplechase winner and it's wonderful for the owners.”

Richards said Bak Da Master could back up on Wednesday (11 August) in the 0-2 Win Steeplechase (4100m) at Riccarton, providing he comes through the race in good order. “We'll be guided by how he does in the next 24 hours,” he said.

Immediately following the race, Thornton said: “It was a game effort and he had to show a bit of grit. It's not really ground that he appreciates and he showed a lot of heart. Michael rode him well. It was the horses first go at steeple chasing and he went well.”

While Roustoby added: “He's pretty tough and he kicked on. It was like a golf course around the outside, they're pinging off it, but get to the course proper and the parachute goes out the back and he really struggled in that.

“He's got a big heart and keeps going, and that's what won him the race.”

Bak Da Master, winner of seven, including four over jumps, was strapped by Craig Thornton.