Karlos can match dam by winning GN test

SHERYL MCGLADE dared to dream she would have another horse good enough to win a Grand National Steeplechase.

That dream became a real possibility yesterday when the Cambridge horsewoman, who trains in partnership with husband Roger, claimed the feature jumping assignment on the opening day of the Grand National Carnival, the Koral, with Karlos, who is a son of McGlade’s previous Grand National winner, Just Jojo.

The now 24-year-old mare won the National in 1996.

‘‘It would certainly be something very special,’’ McGlade said.

‘‘Just Jojo was a great mare, and to win a Grand National with her was a really proud moment, but to then be able to do it with one of her progeny would be almost unbelievable.’’

McGlade was not getting ahead of herself when it comes to this week, but there was an air of confidence surrounding the camp that they might be on track to go close to achieving the breeding double, especially if the same Karlos who turned up yesterday returns on Saturday.

The now 10-year-old was flawless over the bigger fences and clearly revelled in the Riccarton country.

Under the confident ride of up-andcoming jumps jockey Aaron Kuru, Karlos locked himself in an intense battle with Tobouggie Nights for the final 600 metres, but had enough left in the tank to hold on.

‘‘I wasn’t too confident halfway down the straight,’’ McGlade said.

‘‘From where I was it looked as though the other horse had the better of us, but we kept fighting, which he always does.’’

After winning his last start, the chestnut gelding had shown he was coming back to some worthwhile form at the right time of the year.

‘‘I wouldn’t say he was a better horse than what he was when we were last here with him two years ago, but he’s coming too it quite nicely.

‘‘Aaron gets on with him very well too which helps.

‘‘He’s a very soft rider which suits his style of racing.’’

While in the South Island, McGlade is based at the North Canterbury barn of John and Karen Parsons.

It’s a reciprocal deal after the Parsons’ Group I winning mare, Final Touch, was domiciled at their Cambridge property while campaigning brilliantly in the North Island last season.

Having bred Karlos, McGlade had triple the reason to celebrate yesterday’s victory, as she is also a partowner, along with the estate of the late husband and wife duo of Neil and Jen Morrison.

The real mystery of the Koral was the performance of raging hot favourite Rioch.

The Kevin Myers-trained star was supposed to be the horse everybody had to beat during the week, but after leading comfortably for the first lap of the race, he was eased down by jockey Jo Rathbone at the end of the back straight.

Rathbone told stewards something felt indifferent with the gelding’s gait.

A subsequent veterinary inspection discovered an injury to a front tendon, which will require a veterinary certificate before Rioch can race again.