Hurdler overcomes late mistakes to complete hat-trick

Dashing jumper The Shackler was his own worst enemy at Hastings, but he was nimble enough to get himself out of trouble to post a memorable home track victory.

The rising 11-year-old continued his career-best form to triumph in the Anuka Smoker Wellington Hurdles, rescheduled to Hawke’s Bay after the abandonment of last Saturday’s Trentham meeting.

As is his custom, The Shackler made all the running and after putting the pressure on 1000 metres from home he shook off his closest chaser to be out on his own into the straight.

“He was going kindly and when Thatz David came up to us we picked it up again and it was game over,” rider Aaron Kuru said.

That was in spite of The Shackler making a mess of the final two flights, going down on his nose at the penultimate and rapping the last.

“He was probably travelling too well and luckily enough he stayed up,” Kuru said.

The Shackler is raced by Shaun Dromgool, whose brother Michael trained the Istidaad gelding before he was transferred earlier this year to Paul Nelson.

He has now won three of his four hurdle starts from his new quarters following runaway successes at Trentham and at Te Aroha.

“He’s a pretty fair horse and Aaron looked after him,” said Nelson, who has yet to confirm the gelding’s future programme.

Justa Charlie came on gamely to finish runner-up ahead of Thatz David, who continued his proud record in the race as a past winner and now four-time placegetter.