THE Grand Annual Steeplechase remains the only feature race Robert Smerdon hasn't won at the Warrnambool May carnival after his superstar steeplechaser Some Are Bent yesterday defied a massive weight impost to claim the Brierly Steeple, reports The Age.It says: After a long break from jumps racing due to an ailment similar to shin soreness, Some Are Bent returned to his best in the Brierly to chase down Al Garhood, who was attempting a third straight win in the race.The win set Smerdon and his c

THE Grand Annual Steeplechase remains the only feature race Robert Smerdon hasn't won at the Warrnambool May carnival after his superstar steeplechaser Some Are Bent yesterday defied a massive weight impost to claim the Brierly Steeple, reports The Age.

It says: After a long break from jumps racing due to an ailment similar to shin soreness, Some Are Bent returned to his best in the Brierly to chase down Al Garhood, who was attempting a third straight win in the race.

The win set Smerdon and his connections alight in the mounting yard. "It's a pretty good adrenalin rush," the trainer said after the race. "He's a great horse. They went along at a reasonable tempo and the leader had a really good kick on the home turn. I thought he'd have to produce something good to run him down and thankfully he did."

With regular rider Brad McLean, who had been stood down by Racing Victoria stewards over a urine test irregularity at Betfair Park a fortnight ago, watching from the sidelines, leading jumps jockey Steven Pateman completed a faultless performance aboard Some Are Bent.

Giving away four kilograms to his nearest rival, Pateman elected to take a sit on second favourite Al Garhood before asking Some Are Bent for a supreme effort in the home straight, a ride that drew high praise from McLean, who was all smiles despite missing out on the winning ride.

"Steve rode him perfectly, he couldn't have ridden him any better," he said.

"It was a huge effort to give away that start and then do what he did in the straight and there is no one happier than me for Robert and the connections. He's such a super horse."

Part-owner Mike Symons was ecstatic after the race and ran to McLean after the race, embracing him in the mounting yard.