New stable for leading jumper

Tim and Margaret Carter didn’t expect to have a jumper this winter. But as of a week ago, they have one of the best in the country.

Aigne joined the Cambridge couple’s team last week, and will make his debut for the Carters in the Waikato Hurdle (3200m) at Te Rapa today.

Aigne had been prepared for most of his jumping career by Kevin Myers but this year rejoined Cambridge trainer Clinton Isdale, who had prepared the horse at the start of his flat career. But owner Neil O’Dowd asked the Carters two weeks ago if they would consider preparing the horse.

‘‘Neil and Clinton thought the horse might be better off with us because we’ve got the treadmill and Clinton’s under the pump a little bit with all his young horses, so he’s come over to us,’’ Tim Carter said.

‘‘We’ve trained a few jumpers before but it’s been a long time since we’ve had a jumper. But Neil and I have known each other since we were young fellas, which is one of the reasons Neil asked us.’’

Aigne has won five times and placed on seven occasions over hurdles, and his record would be even better but for running into The Cossack, finishing third to him in the past two Great Northern Hurdles and second in the Grand National Hurdle last year.Aigne won’t have to face his nemesis, The Cossack, in the Waikato Hurdle but he still has potentially some very good horses to beat, including Tommyra, Dr Hank and Chief Sequoyah. The Cossack will be at Te Rapa but making a beginning to his steeplechase career contesting the maiden chase race.

Aigne will have a change of rider today as Farr, who has ridden him this season, is committed to ride Tommyra. Michael Roustoby will be aboard instead. ‘‘Michael has won on Aigne before and went to ride him in Australia in the Jericho Cup, so he won’t be at a loss for having a rider that doesn’t know him,’’ Carter said.

– NZ Racing Desk