Veteran jumps jockey Steven Pateman has finally claimed the elusive Australian Steeplechase, adding one of the last missing accolades to his distinguished riding career.
Partnering with close associate Ciaron Maher, Pateman piloted Stern Idol to victory in Sunday’s edition of the Australian Steeplechase (3900m) at Sandown.
Despite shouldering a top weight of 73kg, Stern Idol ($1.85 favourite) proved too strong, holding off Leaderboard ($9.50) by three-quarters of a length, with Not Usual Dream ($51) trailing well behind in third.
The French-bred jumper surged to the lead with 3000m remaining and maintained control throughout. Pateman later admitted the final stages felt isolating as he carried the big weight to the line.
“It was pretty lonely after the last with the 73 kilos, knowing the second horse had seven kilos less,” Pateman said.
“I was thinking about how I had never won this race, I can tell you.
“The Australian Hurdle and the Australian Steeplechase, they are absolutely time-honoured events, so it’s super special.”
Pateman praised Maher’s patient preparation with Stern Idol, noting how carefully his campaign was planned to peak for Sunday’s challenge.
“He could have run in steeplechases earlier in the year, but he would have carried big weights, and he might have won one, but it’s too hard all the time,” Pateman said.
“He ran him in races where he was better weighted and today was a target.
“The way he settled, he knew where he was and the trip he had to run out. He was chilled and its testament to the horse and the training.
“He went his own rhythm. He travelled sweetly and wasn’t getting keen at all and I wasn’t leading from the get-go.
“I was happy for that to unfold. I wasn’t keen to lead all the way with 73 kilos, which could have been his undoing.
“He absolutely winged the second-last. If you could get some footage of where he took off from and where he landed, it would have been a couple of car lengths.”
Stern Idol matched his previous high weight victory in the Brierly Steeplechase (3400m) last year, underlining his stamina and determination.
Tragically, the race was marred by the loss of Treasured Crown, who was euthanised following a fall at the penultimate jump. William McCarthy escaped the fall without injury.
