Dual Grand National trainer Chris Hyland was the toast of Cranbourne on Saturday and shared the spoils of success with successful jockey Craig Durden (left).By Marc McGowan
CRANBOURNE jumps trainer Chris Hyland has trained the Grand National Steeple winner for the second straight year – this time Personal Drum, who saluted for its first win in the prestigious race.
“It’s all pretty exciting when you win a quarter of a million bucks,” Hyland said.
Hyland, who won the race last year with Liquid Lunch, was one of three Cranbourne trainers in the race, a sign that Cranbourne is becoming the hub of jumps racing.
“Most of the jumps trials are run out of Cranbourne; it’s probably the main centre for jumps racing in Victoria,” Hyland said.
Personal Drum’s performance came on the back of several good results in steeple races in the lead-up, including a fast-finishing second in the Australian Steeple at Sandown last month.
That result was not without controversy however, when inexperienced jockey Gavin Bedggood piloted the horse to second place.
After an inquiry, stewards ruled that his ride was unsatisfactory and he was reprimanded and replaced on the eight-year old gelding for Saturday’s triumph.
Top jockey Craig Durden took over the reins in his first ride for Hyland and no doubt impressed the trainer.
“Along with Brett Scott – they are probably the best two jumps jockeys,” Hyland said.
Hyland has only trained Personal Drum for his past five starts, spanning 12 weeks.
He travelled to Tasmania for a race and watched the horse finish third in the Tasmanian Grand National, behind his own horse Thunder Line.
After the race he contacted Personal Drum’s owner Vern Poke about the possibility of racing him in Victoria.
“I just asked him ‘how about you send him over and give him a try here?’” Hyland said.
Now Hyland is in the enviable position of considering a hat-trick of Grand National Steeple wins.
