The pre-race narrative for Stern Idol’s final appearance did not unfold as connections had hoped, with the jumper finishing out of the placings.
Stern Idol, sent off as the strong $1.90 favourite, finished fourth under jockey Will Gordon, ending up 12 lengths behind the winner in the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) at Sandown on Sunday.
The gelding, aiming for a fourth consecutive win in the race named in honour of a former Australian jumping legend, was not at its best on Sunday and exhibited tentative jumps.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, stated that while it was a disappointing conclusion to a brilliant career, the most important aspect was that Stern Idol finished safely.
“Will said he didn’t feel like he was at his best and clearly, he wasn’t,” Turnbull said.
“He didn’t travel as strong and as bold as he normally does and made a few errors down the back.
“There were a few nervous moments late, but thankfully he came back to the yard standing and he pulled up pretty well.
“It’s sad to see him go, but he made it around safe, which is what counts.”
Attendees at the track gave Stern Idol a warm reception with applause as the field passed the finish line on the first lap, and again when the horse returned to the mounting yard post-race.
“There were 20 Ballarat staff that came down, there was Cranbourne staff, Fingal staff, they have all made the effort to come out here which is great,” Turnbull commented.
“It’s more than the sport, it’s more about the horse.
“It’s hard to draw comparisons with a flat horse, but he is the best jumper, so to see him finish, and know he’s finishing up, that’s the strangest part.”
The Patrick Payne-trained Sing For Peace ($3.20) ultimately secured the victory, crossing the line a nose ahead of Mr Lincoln ($18), with Hit The Road Jack ($5) a further two lengths back in third.
Neil Greaves, representing the Payne team, declared that jumps racing was the real winner on the day.
“It’s a perfect time to salute the great Stern Idol,” Greaves said.
“He didn’t win today, but he’s been a great jumper over the last four years.
“The scene is changing and we’re lucky enough to have some of the better ones at the moment.”
The Payne stable had earlier celebrated victory in the first race on Sunday’s card with Split.
However, jockey Tom Ryan was the headline act of the three jumps races at Sandown, completing a feature race double after previously winning the Grand National Hurdle aboard Andy Win.
Ryan partnered Sing For Peace to victory in the Australian Steeplechase and admitted he thought the gelding had cost itself the win with a significant mistake around 1200 metres from the finish.
“He made a really bad mistake, and I don’t know how he stood up, to be honest,” Ryan said.
“But he made a really good jump at the last and it was do or die and he battled on all the way to the line.
“I didn’t think I had held on, but luckily, we did.”
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