Talented jumped Thubiaan produced a strong staying performance to record a dominant victory in the 2015 Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool this afternoon.

Thubiaan (pictured winning the Von Doussa Steeplechase) was far too strong for his rivals in the 2015 Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool this afternoon. Photo by: Jenny Barnes

Thubiaan went into the Brierly Steeplechase as a clear favourite following his dominant victory in the Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m) at Oakbank on April 4 and jockey Martin Kelly elected to ride the Dynaformer gelding aggressively in the early stages of the race and he was settled alongside main rival Regina Coeli.

Kelly gave Thubiaan a lovely run in transit and the seven-year-old responded extremely well when asked for an extra effort after he jumped over the last to run away from his rivals and record a five and a half lengths victory from Jervois and King Triton.

Trainer Eric Musgrove has saddled a number of talented jumpers during his training career, but the Cranbourne-based trainer said after the geldings Brierly Steeplechase victory that he may be one of the best horses he has ever trained.

“He is a lovely horse and he travelled good all the way,” Musgrove said.

“He was always on the steel and it was beautiful ride, he never moved on him until coming down the last double.

“I couldn’t be more excited.

“He has always had steeplechase written on him, but he needed a season of hurdling first.

“He has a high cruising speed and he is one of the best horses that I have had.

“I think he is a very exciting horse.”

Thubiaan has made a successful transits to steeplechase racing after taking out races like the Rookie Jumpers Hurdles Final (3600m) at Warrnambool last year and Musgrove revealed after the race that he plans to continue to test the former Chris Waller-trained galloper this preparation.

Musgrove confirmed that Thubiaan would press on to the Australian Steeplechase (3400m) at Ballarat on May 31 as well as the Grand National (4500m) at the same venue on July 26 and the veteran trainer is confident that his star jumper will have no problem running out the testing trip.

“He will go to the Australian and maybe then onto to the National,” Musgrove said.

“He is a high class stayer and he travels within himself the whole way and when you asked him for something he seems to be able to find it.

“He is tough and he is honest.

“He is a very good galloper.”

Regina Coeli challenged Thubiaan throughout the race, but she tried late to finish fourth, while Jervois and King Triton ran on to finish in the placings.