GREAT NEW ZEALAND STEEPLECHASE

RACE 5 - 6200m

Formerly recognised as the Great Northern, this premier Steeplechase event, once a cornerstone of New Zealand jumps racing was conducted over the challenging Ellerslie hill, encompassing three grueling circuits. It is one of the longest jumps races in the world alongside the Velká Pardubická (6900m) in the Czech Republic, the Anjou-Loire Challenge (7300m) in France and the famed English Grand National (7200m)

JESKO / CAPTAINS RUN / FORTY EIGHT

Whether JESKO can survive this mammoth four mile trip is hard to say, however, tough as old boots on the flat over 3210m at New Plymouth last Saturday, and that should have cleaned him up nicely for this. Finished an admirable 2nd to CAPTAINS RUN in the Grand National and allowed himself to be suckered in a bit as he hates a horse getting ahead of him. Won the Manawatu and Wellington Steeples (4900m), before taking out the Koral down at Riccarton in fine style, leaping like a gazelle and hitting the ground with a spring in his step. Shaun and Hazel Fannin have the ATLANTE gelding in rock hard condition after high intensity staying trips and the FRAC CLUB will hope he can grind out a tough win in this classic New Zealand jumping event. Improving track will aide if not too chopped up from Day one, Friday.

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CAPTAINS RUN built back slowly this campaign as a rising ten-year old, with trainer Dan O'Leary having the NOM DU JEU gelding in peak condition for the NZ Grand National (5600m). Came off the pace to overhaul JESKO late, after finishing 2nd behind that horse in the Koral (4250m) the week before. Proved his resilience as a classic chaser who can truck along with ease before upping the anti over the final few jumps. Finished 2nd to WEST COAST in the Great Northern 12 months prior and he really is an endurance specialist who thrives on the demanding, elevated distances. Got to teach the new kid a thing or two about eagerness vs patience and expect another fine display of jumping, then coming into it late.

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The other Fannin's representative, FORTY EIGHT has come on well this prep after cracking a hoof at Te Rapa in his first jumps assignment. Led and kicked bravely to win over 4000m at Woodville in July, then tried hard but run down by RUN JACKO RUN over the same trip there. Hampered by the riderless horse in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m) at Te Aroha, and it was a particularly deep track which didn't help, however 3rd was a fair result. Fitness run on the flat at New Plymouth last week trapped on the deep inside, but may aide his stablemate JESKO big time here by setting up an even tempo and keeping his enthusiasm in check. Expect the Gold silks to the fore in the prestigious race on Sunday.

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DUKE OF GLOUCHESTER CUP

RACE 3 - 2200m

MARKET SQUARE / AUTUMN BEAUTY / GRAND PROSPECT

The Duncan/Jenkins team train this horse MARKET SQUARE at Hunterville, and the 5YO TAVISTOCK gelding has shown some ability at times as a late bloomer. Started out in the north with two placings, before winning at Pukekohe over the mile with a top run. Strong late for 3rd over 2100m in a healthy Ellerslie field in November last year, then awkwardly placed in the next. Similar effort over the mile at Woodville last time, but better then that and should strip much fitter 3rd-up. Willing to give him a serious chance here on a Soft track, and really only needs some firm footing to be competitive again.

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AUTUMN BEAUTY may only have one victory for trainer Caley Myers, however she is by THE AUTUMN SUN and has run a couple of nice races in the CD. Finished 2nd on debut over the mile in November, then 2nd to TAI over 2000m at New Plymouth in June, before another runner-up slot with a late run over 2100m at Otaki. Won well over 2200m on a deep Trentham track in late June, then 2nd to KENNY at Rotorua in a jumpers highweight. Ok in BM65 the next two, however no doubting the mare's fitness and sure to offer a surging late effort with the right run.

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GRAND PROSPECT is a grand old campaigner who won over 2100m at Woodville last start aided by a good ride and we thought he was up for it. The 9YO HARADASUN gelding finished 3rd in very heavy conditions at Trentham in June, then won on his favoured Woodville track over 2100m in late July, beating home a couple of strong stayers. Sue Walsh bring her boy well north from Foxton in solid condition and he won't mind a testing track to even the playing field. Can't be discounted.

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FRAC CLUB HIGHWEIGHT

RACE 6 - 1600m MAIDEN

RARAWA RAY / GIVEUSAWINK / CHICFLIX

Sam Logan trialled up the four-year-old REDWOOD gelding RARAWA BAY numerous times prior to debuting and its worth sticking with the quality stables here to try and pin a winner. The gelding trialled up five times for a 2nd on the Cambridge synthetic in May, then a win over 1000m at Avondale in June. Couldn't finish it off on debut over 1550m on the synthetic, but out of RESET mare who raced out of Toowoomba, PRIMERA. She produced a quick on in WINSTON SMURFHILL and CURRY CONNECTION, so may be able to sprint home. Plenty of risk attached.

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The Ritchie/Murray team have a relatively well bred horse in GIVEUSAWINK, who has done enough to be competitive here over the mile. By RIP VAN WINKLE, he is out of the mare, PLATINUM BELLE who was pretty good in the CD and down south. Her dam was out of ZABEEL, with the fine Group winning racemare WAIKIKI also included lin the pedigree. Offered something way back in August last year, then banged around aimlessly with bugger all luck. One run on the Cambridge synthetic since January and despite acting a bit greenly, he did run on late after losing ground and being checked.

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You wouldn't think this meeting had the premier jumps race for the season on this card based on how weak many of these fields are, however CHICFLIX from the Paul Mirabelli stable should stand a chance here as few trainers seemed interested in nominating their runners. Joshua Parker claims 3kg and the SACRED FALLS mare did get closer when 3rd over the mile at Ruakaka two weeks back. Fought on when 3rd at Tauranga then 2nd at Avondale on Heavy 10 tracks, so with 21 runs behind her it might just be time to break that duck once and for all.

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RATING 60 HIGHWEIGHT

RACE 7 - 1400m

FLUTTERBELLE / WINEXPRESS / RIDGEVIEW VICKY

The Ben & Ryan Foote mare FLUTTERBELLE was knocking around in some pretty strong company last season and ran a few tidy races through the winter of 2024. Resumed with a 3rd over 1200m at Hawera before finally nailing his maiden win with a nice front-running display over 1600m there. Finished on at Wanganui, but Tauranga and Rotorua were deep heavy and hard on all competitors. Finished 3rd at Te Aroha over 1400m after being held uo rounding the final bend before a poor finish at Rotorua. Nice late when 2nd at Ruakaka last start, so probably would appreciate any track upgrade.

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The SHAMEXPRESS gelding WINEXPRESS is better then recent efforts and the Clotworthy's will be seeking a strong run here. Won over 1200m at Pukekohe in July, then third to AMEND with a strong finish and third to a good one in SWINDLE at Te Rapa on a Heavy 10. Weaved for a solid effort at Tauranga in November, but only three runs this year, the last a nice late charge when held up at the 100m over 1400m at Ruakaka. Could be ready to produce his best, so well worth keeping safe.

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RIDGEVIEW VICKY is a fairly robust type who can wind up strongly but often gets going too late. The WHATS THE STORY mare won at Rotorua in May before a hard fought 2nd behind CHARMER over 1300m at Te Rapa. Battled along throughout the winter with no success before an improved 3rd over 1400m at Matamata last start. Probably needs the blinkers on to stay focused and look for her running home late in some clear air.

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0-1 WIN HURDLE

RACE 1 - 3100m

YOLO / THE REPUBLICAN / DOROTHY'S DAUGHTER

The Allan Sharrock trained YOLO came out and crushed it on the flat last week in the Road to the Jericho (3210m) at New Plymouth and he probably will be rock hard fit back up over the hurdles and at a similar trip. Pulled up in the Wellington Hurdles back in June, but returned with an easy win over 2100m at Otaki. 2nd here over 3100m in his Maiden hurdle, then misjudged final fence at Trentham, but still won over 2500m. The ZED mare will need to jump cleanly, although impossible to knock her fitness levels rocking up here after that last start gritty win. May well run on day one.

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Been pretty keen on THE REPUBLICAN this prep and Kevin Myers has the seven-year-old well seasoned and going well. Not often to you a horse by THE BOLD ONE jumping, however the sire provides some tough attributes necessary for this capper. Finished 3rd in a maiden hurdle in June, before a nice jumping display to win over 3000m at Woodville. Backed that up by setting the pace and holding onto 2nd on the flat (2200m), then put in a poor jump in a Steeples at Hawera and retired out of the race. Excellent on the flat last time, but laid out under pressure and should be ready to go a big one.

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Nial Quinn, training out of Wanganui did well to get his mare DOROTHY'S DAUGHTER up to break her maiden hurdle over 3100m at Hawera last start, and she could go on with it now. Finished 3rd jumping behind OUR DAYMO at Trentham, then THE REPUBLICAN over 3000m at Woodville. Pretty decent run on the flat from the ROC DE CAMBES mare at New Plymouth for 4th over 2000m, before snaring her hurdle win. Probably would enjoy a slightly better track as she retains some speed on the flat, but will be a major threat all-the-same. Trialled since, so beware.

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0-1 WIN STEEPLECHASE

RACE 4 - 3600m

COUNTRYMAN / JUSTICE / OBRIGADO

Boy, this jumper COUNTRYMAN is a tough nut to crack and he just can't seem to get across the line first despite some game efforts. Risky jump when 3rd behind YOLO at Wellington in July, then dumped the rider at Te Rapa before falling at the last over 4000m at Trentham. Got back up for a game 2nd to JAKAMA CRYSTAL in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m), then challenged from the turn to run 2nd over 3500m here at Te Aroha. Lost ground after being checked at the 600m last time, but still got up to finish 2nd to JUSTICE even though the rider dropped the whip. The SHOCKING gelding from Dannevirke deserves this one and we'll be hoping for a clean round of jumping.

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JUSTICE jumped well to get past COUNTRYMAN here at the latest over 3600m after settling well back and it was a nice win to get up on a tricky track. The BELARDO gelding trained by Dean Wiles at Cambridge hasn't been far away over the sticks this prep, but he looks a better chaser and goes particularly well on the flat, and in the wet. Won his maiden hurdle at Te Rapa this time last year and has proved himself multiple times up and down the North Island. Will have some solid fitness on his side and every opportunity to give this a shake.

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The eleven-year-old OBRIGADO is just a warhorse jumper that keeps turning up and running well. The FULLY FLEDGED gelding has been there and done that. Finished 2nd to HAPPY STAR in a Sydenham, then 3rd in the Grand National Hurdle to BERRY THE CASH. 2nd to VERRY FLASH at Wanganui before cracking his Steeple maiden win here at Te Aroha over 3500m in June. 2nd to LETRIM LAD in the Te Aroha Cup (3500m) and seems to have a fondness for this joint which is why he must be considered. Has trialled on the flat since, so worth throwing into your multi's as a pretty solid performer.

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MAIDEN - AMATUER RIDERS

RACE 2 - 2200m

TEMPEST MOON / MORNING COCOA / BLUERIDGE

Always had some time for this Ritchie/Murray trained mare TEMPEST MOON, who should really have won one by now. The TURN ME LOOSE mare showed some serious potential kicking off in June 2024, with placings on the Cambridge synthetic. Finally hit the turf in December and pushed back at Te Rapa before slipping at the 300m at Matamata, becoming unbalanced. More placings have followed and she has been running on well enough to suggest she could make an impact.

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MORNING COCOA is another that has displayed genuine ability but hasn't been able to knock off her maiden win. The VADAMOS mare from the Forsman stable finished 2nd at Waverley, Tauranga, Waverley again, then Matamata in May before a spell. Resumed at Ruakaka, then another runner-up slot over 1950m at Rotorua last month. Fought on for 3rd at Hawera last start, but really hasn't to get one soon and won't get a better chance than here.

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Some talk around the Myers first starter BLUERIDGE, although his three trials didn't produce much. But where there's smoke there's fire and he is by EMINENT from a PERFECTLY READY mare in SACRED COUNTY and could be a half decent stayer or future jumper in the making coming from this barn. The 2nd dam, COUNTRY ROSE (Centaine) was Stakes winning mare, so there is some quality within this pedigree. Will take plenty from this, although worth checking her condition in the parade ring. Be unfortunate if many of these horses dual nominated for Friday don't rock up on the Sunday decimating the fields.

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