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.
Corrina McDougal has enjoyed another successful racing season in partnership with Paul Nelson, and the Hastings trainers hope to top it off in style with last-start winners Taika and Raucous at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Irish jockey Jack Power is off the mark in New Zealand after recording his first win aboard Taika in the Best Forsyth Electrial Maiden Hurdle (2500m) at Hastings on Saturday.
