The Big Opal ready for feature win: Fannin
WELLINGTON: Shaun Fannin reckons he is timing his run perfectly on The Big Opal.
Tomorrow the Whanganui jumps jockey will team up with the Kevin Myerstrained Storm Creek gelding in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (now over 4200m), which has belatedly been transferred to Te Aroha with Te Rapa not fit for racing.
It will be Fannin’s first ride on The Big Opal since they finished fifth in the Waikato Steeples at Te Rapa in May.
Fannin feels The Big Opal is ready to win another feature after several strong leadup performances, including a win in the McGregor Grant Steeples (4000m) at Trentham in June and thirds at his last two starts.
‘‘It was an encouraging run last Sunday over the hurdles for a close third and that should have topped him off perfectly for this weekend,’’ Fannin said.
‘‘It looks an open race — there’s no standout, anyway. He’s probably the class horse in the field. He should be right there in the running to have a shot at them.’’
The Big Opal has won seven of his 15 steeplechase starts but after twice failing in the Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton, Myers purposely bypassed that race this month in order to have his charge peaking for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup. If he races well, the Great Northern Steeplechase on September 9 is also on the cards.
‘‘He took a bit longer to come up this year but he won the McGregor Grant well and after those last two races, we think he’s somewhere near his best now,’’ Fannin said.
The TAB has installed The Big Opal as a $3.80 joint favourite for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup with Perry Mason.
Success would be a fitting tonic for Myers, whose brother, Patrick, died earlier in the week.
Fannin has five rides tomorrow, with the Mark Brookstrained El Disparo his mount in the feature hurdle.
‘‘He won his maiden hurdle at Hastings and was quite impressive doing it. I rode him last year in two starts in Australia when he ran second to Chequered Flag and then things went wrong in the second one.
‘‘He jumps well and he went a good race on the flat last start, so that should have him right for this one.’’
Fannin’s other rides are Kiddo in the maiden steeplechase and El Luchador and Wilijonmcbride in the two maiden hurdle races.
‘‘El Luchador won a Kiwifruit Cup and a Parliamentary so he’s got strong flat form leading into this and I’m looking forward to riding him.’’ — NZ Racing Desk