Mark Oulaghan reigned supreme with his star jumpers West Coast and Berry The Cash during the Grand National Carnival last year, and the Awapuni horseman is back and favoured to repeat his heroics on Saturday.
West Coast has won the last two editions of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 149th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) among a collection of other prestige titles, and he will attempt to become the first horse in history to go three-in-a-row.
His southern campaign kicked off strongly winning the key lead-up event, the Koral Steeplechase (4250m), with some authority and is tipped the horse to beat, currently rated a $1.45 favourite ahead of Captains Run ($6).
“It was a good run under the weight, he was well ridden,” Oulaghan said.
“He is similar to Berry The Cash as far as distance is concerned, both of those horses’ strong point is their staying ability, so the extra 1000m will help him.”
The son of Nom De Jeu won his first National with 65kg on his back, but since that first crown, he has continuously carried near on the maximum allocated weight of 73kg and Saturday’s contest will be no different, with jockey Shaun Fannin aiming for an 11th win from 16 starts aboard the nine-year-old.
Oulaghan has won more steeplechase titles at Riccarton Park than any other trainer with eight on the board, but he admits the feature still brings about a few nervous moments.
“Any big jumping race brings a bit of apprehension with how it’s going to pan out, it keeps you pretty alert on your seat,” he said.
Berry The Cash has faced a similar weight-related task to his stablemate this season, but he will not fly solo on 72kg, with fellow top-liner Nedwin making the journey south to contest the Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury 134th Grand National Hurdles (4200m).
Nedwin’s stablemate Dictation looked like he had last Saturday’s Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) secured before blundering at the final fence, leaving Berry The Cash to sail away with his sixth-consecutive race win.
Oulaghan, while satisfied with the performance, is looking forward to stepping the son of Jakkalberry out to a more preferred distance, with impending rain in Christchurch also to suit.
“He was possibly a little bit flat in the straight in the Sydenham, but I think the extra 1000m will suit him and if the track is a little bit looser. Those factors would be an advantage for him,” he said.
“He hasn’t been too busy this week, he’s pretty fit from his Waverley run into the hurdle race so we can’t do too much more with him. He’s feeling well and we’re expecting another good run.
“He’s always showed a lot of ability hurdling and this year, he’s put the results on the board which has been good.”
Berry The Cash was spectacular winning last year’s National and has been unbeaten in a jumping contest since. The gelding was the underdog in that race in comparison to his status this season, sitting a $2 hope just ahead of Nedwin at $2.15.
Up-and-coming prospect Semper Magico will line-up as a key contender in the Michael ‘Mickey’ Beecroft Memorial 0-1 Win Hurdles (3100m) earlier on the card, after running on with merit under a big weight over 1800m on the opening day of the carnival.
The son of Per Incanto has stepped into his role over the fences with ease recently, winning comfortably at Wellington at his second hurdle attempt after a successful career on the flat, placing at Listed level.
“We were happy enough with his run last Saturday, a flat run over 1800m is not really ideal for him but under the weight, we were pleased by the way he stuck at it and pulled up,” Oulaghan said.
“Condition-wise, he’s not far off the mark.
“It’s a great avenue for him where he can mix up running on the flat and over the jumps. For a horse like him, his career may nearly be over without jump racing, it gives him another option to continue on.”