Star hurdler Gobstopper (NZ) (Tavistock) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Sunday’s Kevin Lafferty Hurdle at Warrnambool to continue an all-conquering 2020 season.
The former Kiwi started the $2 favourite and jumped cleanly in the small field of five but looked in trouble when Woodsman raced three lengths clear inside the final 300m.
But jockey Darryl Horner continued to urge Gobstopper along in the final furlong of the race and he found another gear, overhauling his rival in the shadows of the winning post to secure another feature win.
Eric Musgrove’s gelding has now won four of his five starts over hurdles this campaign, adding the Lafferty Hurdle to his wins in the Australian Hurdle and Galleywood Hurdle.
The master jumps trainer was left to marvel at the seven-year-old’s tenacity.
“He’s a lovely horse and he just doesn’t give up,” Musgrove said.
“The horse is in great heart at the moment and everything he does, he enjoys.
“I hadn’t given up hope, he half knuckled down the straight and it took him a little whole to balance up again and I thought the last part fo the race he finished off very strongly.
