Connections of the celebrated jumper Stern Idol saw their script go awry as the horse finished outside the placings in its final career start.

Stern Idol, the strongly fancied $1.90 favourite, crossed the line in fourth position under jockey Will Gordon, trailing the winner by 12 lengths in the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) held at Sandown on Sunday.

Seeking a fourth consecutive victory in the event honouring one of Australia’s esteemed steeplechase legends, Stern Idol failed to display its usual brilliance on Sunday and exhibited hesitant jumping.

Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, expressed his disappointment at the career-ending result, but emphasised that Stern Idol completed the race without incident.

“Will said he didn’t feel like he was at his best and clearly, he wasn’t,” Turnbull said.

“He didn’t travel as strong and as bold as he normally does and made a few errors down the back.

“There were a few nervous moments late, but thankfully he came back to the yard standing and he pulled up pretty well.

“It’s sad to see him go, but he made it around safe, which is what counts.”

Onlookers at the course offered Stern Idol applause as the field passed the finish line on the first circuit, with a further ovation occurring as Stern Idol returned to the mounting yard post-race.

“There were 20 Ballarat staff that came down, there was Cranbourne staff, Fingal staff, they have all made the effort to come out here which is great,” Turnbull stated.

“It’s more than the sport, it’s more about the horse.

“It’s hard to draw comparisons with a flat horse, but he is the best jumper, so to see him finish, and know he’s finishing up, that’s the strangest part.”

The Crisp Steeplechase was ultimately won by Patrick Payne’s charge, Sing For Peace ($3.20), securing victory by a narrow margin of a nose over Mr Lincoln ($18), with Hit The Road Jack ($5) finishing a further two lengths behind in third.

Neil Greaves, representing the Payne team, declared jumps racing the true winner on the day.

“It’s a perfect time to salute the great Stern Idol,” Greaves remarked.

“He didn’t win today, but he’s been a great jumper over the last four years.

“The scene is changing and we’re lucky enough to have some of the better ones at the moment.”

The Payne stable had earlier celebrated success in the opening race of Sunday’s program with Split.

However, jockey Tom Ryan emerged as the dominant figure across the three jumps races at Sandown, completing a feature race double after his earlier triumph in the Grand National Hurdle aboard Andy Win.

Ryan piloted Sing For Peace to victory in the Australian Steeplechase and admitted he thought the gelding had jeopardised his winning chances with a significant error around 1200 metres from the finish line.

“He made a really bad mistake, and I don’t know how he stood up, to be honest,” Ryan said.

“But he made a really good jump at the last and it was do or die and he battled on all the way to the line.

“I didn’t think I had held on, but luckily, we did.”

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