Much of the field in Saturday’s CLC Pakuranga Hunt Open Hurdle (3200m) made a serious account of themselves ahead of the Great Northern Hurdles (4200m) in three weeks’ time, none more so than the winner in Taika.
Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal’s talented pairing of Nedwin and Taika will become rivals once again in Saturday’s CLC Pakuranga Hunt Open Hurdle at Te Rapa.
Topweight Nedwin showed there is simply no quit in his make up as he unleashed an outstanding finishing burst to capture his second Metroclad Limited Wellington Hurdles (3200m) at Trentham.
There are few prestige jumping trophies missing from Paul Nelson’s mantlepiece, but the Great Northern Steeplechase is one that has eluded the Hastings trainer over his career.