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Live sport on SN this weekendLord Spencer all class in competitive Koral
Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • August 1st, 2026 3:23 pm
Trainer JJ Rayner with Lord Spencer after his win in Saturday's Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase (4250m) | Photo: Ajay Berry (Race Images South)
Lord Spencer’s rise in the steeplechasing role continued at Riccarton Park on Saturday, producing a foot-perfect performance to take out the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Koral Steeplechase (4250m).
The JJ Rayner-trained gelding is a former Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) winner and while he was a topliner over hurdles, he looks right at home over the steeples, with two wins from three attempts including the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) last start.
Lord Spencer headed south as a big hope for the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 151st Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) and started a short-priced favourite ($2.10) in the key lead-up, with Nedwin identified as his closest rival at $4.60.
The son of Zed settled into a beautiful rhythm from the outset for regular rider Lemmy Douglas, while Nedwin and Prince Turbo sat up on the speed. The field put on a lovely jumping display throughout and all were in contention as they raced down to the course proper for the final time.
Invisible Spirit, Prince Turbo and Lord Spencer were the first three heading to the final fence, but it was Lord Spencer who jumped best and raced away, put a comfortable two lengths on a game Prince Turbo.
Douglas revealed post-race that his charge hadn’t relaxed as he’d expected, but still had plenty left in the finish.
“He has a bit more respect for these bigger fences, he did make a few mistakes today which is fine, he’s only had a couple of (steeplechase) starts,” he said.
“He wasn’t relaxed today, normally he switches off halfway around, but I was swinging off him the whole way and he’s getting more aggressive which is going to be beautiful for some of those longer distances.
“Barrier one, I thought I was going to be further back than I was, but he travelled so well. He’s a real horse this time around, he’s going to win some big races.”
Rayner was duly delighted with the result, but also felt a sense of relief heading towards their main target in a week’s time.
“To know we’ve got through that safely and can go on to next Saturday, everything is good at the moment,” she said.
“We’ll see how he goes through the week, but I’m so pleased that’s over.
“It was a great ride, Lemmy just knows the horse, knows when to go and ask. If he wants to stop, he’ll stop, Lemmy knows when to push his buttons.”
In 55 starts, Lord Spencer has now recorded eight wins and just shy of $340,000 in stakes for owner-breeder Dennis Dravitzki. Of those victories, two have come on the flat and three apiece over hurdles and steeples.
