Fortuna Racing flagbearer Leaderboard has the opportunity to contest showpiece jumps races on both sides of the Tasman over the coming weeks, beginning with a shot at the A$400,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on Sunday.
The Kiwis hit early on the opening day of Warrnambool’s three-day May carnival, with the Mark Walker-trained Leaderboard winning the two-mile maiden hurdle on Tuesday in the hands of expat Kiwi jumps jockey Aaron Kuru.
Te Akau Racing gallopers Leaderboard and The Mighty Spar might be earmarked as prodigious jumpers of the future but trainer Mark Walker is hoping the pair can soar to flat riches in Saturday's Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m).
Smart stayer Ladies Man will back up in consecutive weeks in his attempt to win the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on March 11.
Enigmatic galloper Leaderboard put his best foot forward when he responded to a brilliant ride from visiting Irish jockey Joe Doyle to take out the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m).
