Super double for Connors
WELLINGTON: Raymond Connors’ training talents were showcased on Saturday with a memorable double.
The Whanganui trainer was at Te Rapa to see Max victorious in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) and threequarters of an hour later stablemate She’s Poppy resumed on a top note by winning the listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) at Awapuni.
Connors has an outstanding record with jumpers — most notably the threetime Great Northern Steeplechase winner, Hypnotize — but his conditioning skills with the flat runners of his team are also firstrate. Two New Zealand Cups with Blood Brotha, who also won a Wellington Cup and ran fourth in the group 1 Sydney Cup, and a Manawatu Classic with his New Zealand Derby and AJC Derby placegetter King Johny are testament to Connors’ ability.
She’s Poppy was making her first appearance for six months, and came with a welltimed run under Shaun McKay to beat a game Ringo, who gave the winner 7kg.
Connors will try to plot differ ent paths this winter with Max and Wise Men Say.
‘‘I’ll definitely be trying to keep them apart, but at some point they might have to clash,’’ he said.
He has yet to confirm the immediate future of Max, who has now won four of his seven starts over the big fences.
‘‘I haven’t got any immediate thoughts at the moment, but longerterm probably the Grand National,’’ Connors said.
He will make a decision on whether Wise Men Say will defend his Great Northern Steeplechase crown after he runs in the McGregor Grant Steeplechase on June 3.
Max adapted to the Te Rapa track with ease on Saturday and came from a long way back for rider Isaac Lupton, who has been aboard the Gallant Guru gelding in all his jumping wins, to run down Justa Charlie, with Thenamesbond taking third from Shamal.
‘‘It was a very good effort. He got a wee way off them, but he jumped well and it’s all worked out nicely,’’ Connors said. — NZ Racing Desk.