Stern Idol defies 75kg to win Brierly Steeplechase
Champion jumper Stern Idol claimed his second Brierly Steeplechase victory, lumping 75kg to victory in the feature race on the first day of the Warrnambool carnival.
The Ciaron Maher-trained nine-year-old won the 3450-metre steeple in 2024 and returned on Tuesday with massive top weight as a $2.40 favourite.
Steven Pateman controlled the pace for most of the way, but had to ask the giant son of Raven’s Pass to lift when he lost momentum coming back onto the track proper for the last time.
He regathered in Castrofrancaru, who had briefly assumed the lead and then surged away from his rivals.
Hit The Road Jack closed within four and a half lengths on the line but never loomed as a serious threat, while Castrofrancaru clung onto third.
Stern Idol has now won more than $1.1 million with 15 wins in 23 starts since arriving in Australia from France in 2022.
