Just Ishi jumping clever
Just Ishi is relatively new to the steeplechasing game but he has shown an aptitude for the role.
Awapuni trainer Gail Temperton and jockey Gary Walsh hope to see him bounce back to winning form in the restricted open steeplechase around Trentham’s figure-eight course today.
After impressively winning his steeplechase debut at Hastings beating The Big Opal and Mr Mor in the hands of Walsh, the son of Ishiguru made a mistake in his next start at Hawera.
Travelling well and right in contention, the winner of nine races jumped a fence in the straight awkwardly and dislodged Walsh from the saddle.
Horse and rider took no harm from the mishap and will be out to set the record straight at Trentham after a school on the course midweek.
‘‘We went down to Trentham during the week, ‘‘ Walsh said. ‘‘We schooled over the live ones [fences] and he went good.
‘‘He didn’t have a hard run last time so he is nice and fresh for this weekend.’’
The TAB has installed Just Ishi ($2.30) as favourite alongside with Highly Likely ($3.40) and The Oysterman ($7.20).
Temperton and Walsh team up with Mr Davinci and No Excuses in earlier jumps races on the programme.
Mr Davinci is still learning the game and makes his hurdling debut but No Excuses has performed well winning once from five hurdle attempts and is nearing peak fitness.
Top steeplechase Amanood Lad will resume in the Shoe Clinic Amateur in his debut from the Paul Nelson stable after transferring from Ben Foote.
Nelson will also be represented by Perry Mason and The Shackler in the Hiremaster Maiden Hurdle and Kings Deep ($6.50) will oppose Just Ishi..
‘‘The way Perry Mason has been going you’d have to favour him,’’ Nelson told NZ Racing Desk. ‘‘He’s been going good races and he was a bit unlucky at Te Rapa. He got locked away on the inside and couldn’t get forward when he needed to.’’
Kings Deep won three times over the smaller fences and finished runner-up in both the Great Northern and Grand National Hurdles before he was injured. He was recently unplaced on the flat in his first start for nearly two years. ‘‘He’s a talented jumper and he’s been in work for a long time, but he’s still quite big in condition,’’ Nelson said.