All eyes were on Stern Idol in the 2023 Grand Annual Steeplechase, but it was the stablemate to the favourite Rockstar Ronnie who reigned supreme in the 5500m event at Warrnambool.
Chris McCarthy took Rockstar Ronnie ($6.50) straight to the front of the field and the sic-year-old gelding made every post (or steeple) a winner, with hardly a challenge in the world on his way to claiming the key portion of the $400,000 on offer.
Rockstar Ronnie led throughout before scoring by 3.5 lengths over Police Camp, who filled second place in the Grand Annual for the second consecutive year.
The win gave top trainer Ciaron Maher his seventh Grand Annual Steeplechase win, with three of those since starting his partnership with David Eustace.
Stablemate and race favourite Stern Idol was the only runner not to finish the 5500m trek, with seemingly the top weight 69kg and the trip bringing him undone.
2023 Grand Annual Steeplechase Replay – Rockstar Ronnie
The win was Chris McCarthy’s first success as a jockey in the race and despite feeling “lonely” out in front, the enthusiasm could not be dampened post-race.
“The whole race. I’ve never been so lonely in my entire life, but it was the best feeling in the world,” McCarthy said.
“I could hear them early and then I couldn’t hear them and I thought, ‘beauty I’ve got away from them’.
“The horse jumped absolutely super.
“Full credit to the horse.”
With Rockstar Ronnie’s win in the Grand Annual, the result took Ciaron Maher to 14 wins at the Warrnambool May Carnival alongside legendary trainer Jim Houlahan.
“There’s so much that goes into a preparation and a lot of the guys in the ownership group are avid jumps supporters,” Maher said.
“You can see the tears of joy on their faces.
“It is the best race I think, so much goes into the preparation,”
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