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Jesko triumphs in Koral Steeplechase
Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING NZ News desk • August 2nd, 2025 3:13 pm
Jesko winning the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase (4250m) at Riccarton on Saturday | Photo: Ajay Berry
Steeplechasing sensation Jesko made his debut over the big Riccarton fences a winning one when he triumphed in a three-way finish to Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase (4250m).
Unbeaten in his three steeplechase events to date, including victory in the Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) at Trentham last month, the Shaun and Hazel Fannin-trained eight-year-old was sent out at the microscopic quote of $1.30 in the Fixed Odds market for the traditional warm-up to the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) in seven days’ time.
Punters who installed him as the raging hot favourite had no reason for concern through most of the journey as Fannin had him sitting in second behind free-going pacemaker Nedwin with the topweight West Coast on his outer.
The pressure went on with 800m to run as Jesko angled out of the trail to issue a challenge to Nedwin, however it was relative outsider Captains Run who took advantage of that move to sneak through on the inner with two fences to clear.
Captains Run and Jesko set down to fight out the finish as West Coast threatened to join the pair at the last however Jesko cleared the fence in style before surging away in the run to the post to hit the line three lengths clear of Captains Run, with West Coast impressing under his 73kg impost to finish third.
Hazel Fannin was delighted with the horse and the ride by her husband.
“It was a beautiful ride, he travelled really well and it was that turn of foot at the end which made it so convincing,” Fannin said.
“It was good to see going into next week.
“We talked about it (race tactics) during the week and it was good to see Shaun followed them to the letter, so I’m very happy.”
Shaun Fannin relayed he had always felt comfortable throughout the journey but did get a wake-up call when Captains Run joined in when the pressure went on.
“It was a great finish and when we jumped Jumbo (second last fence) Captains Run sprinted quite quickly and we were flat for a couple of strides,” he said.
“I think it shows his (Jesko) staying ability as he came off the bridle and found again late.
“He caught the last fence super and came away nicely.
“He can get pretty wound up before a race and this will bring him on nicely as well as having a look at those fences as he backed off a few.
“When he got that competition he dug deep which is what you want to see. He found plenty late and he has always given the inkling he wants to go further, which is good for next week.”
A son of Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Atlante, Jesko was purchased by Fannin for just $3,300 off Gavelhouse.com in 2021 and has now won eight races from just 24 starts and over $202,000 in prizemoney.
