Our Aristocrat still unbeaten in jumps

By Mark Ryan

MELBOURNE, June 4 AAP - Our Aristocrat has rallied to maintain his unbeaten record over the jumps with a narrow win in Saturday's Australian Hurdle at Sandown despite rider Steven Pateman losing his whip.

Pateman, recognised as the country's leading jumps jockey, lost his whip 300 metres from home coming to the last hurdle aboard Our Aristocrat ($2.60 fav) but the Galileo five-year-old found plenty when challenged to win the $100,000 feature over 3400 metres.

The Eric Musgrove-trained imported galloper looked under threat when challenged by stablemate Famous Prince ($5.50) but, with Pateman slapping the gelding with his hand, he lasted by a half-head with topweight Desert Master ($12) a length away third.

"It was a bit amateurish but I got away with it," Pateman said.

"He's a little cracker. He had his ears pricked up the straight and he really needed the stick but my hand might be more powerful than those padded whips.

"I'm so appreciative of (owners) Lloyd and Nick (Williams) to send us this horse. It is a real boost for the industry.

"I can't describe how much it means to win for them and for Eric.

"He's a very good stayer and has a big future over the longer trips. It's really exciting."

The winner and stablemate Our Rockhampton (sixth) are two of five horses owners Lloyd and Nick Williams sent to Musgrove for jumping careers this season.

"I'm very fortunate they sent them to me. Lloyd said to me they'd do the job and he was very right," Musgrove said.

Our Aristocrat is unbeaten in three hurdle starts to date.

Musgrove also praised Pateman.

"He's a seasoned rider and he picks his fences well which makes it so much easier for the horses to catch them right, it's especially important in the longer races," Musgrove said.

Musgrove admitted some concerns about Our Aristocrat handling Saturday's heavy track conditions.

"He's a lovely little horse and he did a good job because I don't think he handles the ground that well. It's just that he's tough and has got a bit of ability," he said.

Pateman played down his earlier display when he helped his mount Plumtastic stay on his feet after he bungled the second-last fence in the Australian Steeplechase.

The horse recovered from the mishap and went on to run third to stablemate Vindicating.