Toulouse Raises The Bar Again

The Sunday Age

Sunday June 1, 2008

Tony Bourke

JUST as Some Are Bent swept almost all before him last jumps season with seven straight hurdle wins, Toulouse Lautrec is the horse most likely to make his mark this year.

After Some Are Bent was unluckily beaten in yesterday's Lachal Hurdle at Flemington - a race he won last year - Toulouse Lautrec made it three in a row over the bigger fences in the Trevor Clarke Steeplechase.

Jockey Craig Durden said Toulouse Lautrec, a Queensland Derby winner, was "learning more about the caper (jumping)" with each start.

"He's come a long way mentally since he started jumping and even though he was a little bit keen on his way to the start, he settled pretty well."

It was less than a month ago that Toulouse Lautrec had his first steeplechase start at Moonee Valley, winning very easily despite crashing through every jump, but he has literally made giant leaps since.

Yesterday he beat last-start Sandown winner Jamraan and trainer Fran Houlahan was thrilled with the effort of runner-up, who is making steady improvement this preparation. "I thought he could finish second, and that's what he did," she said.

Some Are Bent tends to want to take charge when horses come up alongside him, which is what happened with the riderless Shrogginet from the 1400 metres in the Lachal.

Jockey Brad McLean said the favourite had travelled beautifully until that point but then took off and that left him a sitting shot for Emgee Rex, who had a six-kilogram pull in the weights.

Emgee Rex ($21) won by four lengths from Some Are Bent ($1.80), with Go And Get ($16) 31/4 lengths away third. It was one of Mornington trainer Lyn Tolson's best wins, and Emgee Rex has now won three of his seven starts over jumps.

The David Hayes-trained Danever did not win a classic but he did finish fourth behind Efficient in the Victoria Derby two years ago and he, too, looks like making a good fist of a jumps career after his win in the George Watson Hurdle (3200 metres).

The field was made up of novice hurdlers and Danever ($5.50) won by 1 1/4 lengths over Sand Sweeper ($3 favourite), with Charted ($21) 51/2 lengths away third.

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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