The racing industry is in mourning following the passing of a true champion in West Coast following a race fall in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
West Coast showed his champion qualities at Te Rapa on Sunday when he chased down runaway leader Whiskey Tango to score his first win in 20 months in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m).
Last year’s Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) was one of the spectacles of the season, with Smug just nabbing Champion jumper West Coast on the line after the pair went head-to-head from the 800m.
Jumps fans will rejoice this weekend when they get to see Champion Jumper West Coast return over fences in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) at Te Rapa on Sunday.
Shaun Fannin has dominated the New Zealand jumps jockey ranks in recent years, but he is now passing on the baton after confirming his retirement from riding over fences.
Late starter Jack Morrison will be presented with another ideal opportunity on his home polytrack course at Awapuni on Sunday to make up for lost time.
Mark Oulaghan is hoping the extreme distance of Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) will play into the hands of West Coast.
Mark Oulaghan has called on one of Australia’s leading jumps jockeys to partner West Coast, as the outstanding jumper heads south in pursuit of a historic fourth-consecutive Grand National crown.
