Wheeler Fortune
Trish Dunell
When jumps guru John Wheeler mentions he has a potential Oakbank candidate on his hands it pays to take notice.
Wheeler was speaking about the aptly named Wheeler Fortune who scored his maiden hurdle win at Hawkes Bay on the weekend in a manner that suggests there is plenty more in store.
The rangy four-year-old gelding caught the eye when third in his jumping debut at Awapuni in testing conditions with Wheeler expecting an even better performance on an improved surface on the weekend.
"He went a really nice race at Awapuni last time as he was wide most of the way so I did think he would be hard to beat on the better track," he said.
"He handles most tracks and is a pretty handy jumper so I think he has the ability to go further as he gains more experience.
"Looking ahead he might be a candidate for the Grand National meeting at Riccarton with a trip to Oakbank next year a real possibility as I think he would be well suited over there."
Wheeler sports a remarkable record at Australia's famous Oakbank jumping carnival having taken the time honoured Great Eastern Steeplechase on nine separate occasions since he began taking horses there over twenty years ago.
Wheeler is also looking forward to another special event next year when he leads a team of seventy racing enthusiasts to the world renowned Cheltenham jumping festival in March. Organised by tour company Epic Journeys, Wheeler and well known Taranaki racing administrator Carey Hobbs will host tour participants on a 23 day sojourn that takes in the four days of the Cheltenham Festival along with a Six Nations rugby international and the 2017 Dubai World Cup meeting. - NZ Racing Desk
Wheeler was speaking about the aptly named Wheeler Fortune who scored his maiden hurdle win at Hawkes Bay on the weekend in a manner that suggests there is plenty more in store.
The rangy four-year-old gelding caught the eye when third in his jumping debut at Awapuni in testing conditions with Wheeler expecting an even better performance on an improved surface on the weekend.
"He went a really nice race at Awapuni last time as he was wide most of the way so I did think he would be hard to beat on the better track," he said.
"He handles most tracks and is a pretty handy jumper so I think he has the ability to go further as he gains more experience.
"Looking ahead he might be a candidate for the Grand National meeting at Riccarton with a trip to Oakbank next year a real possibility as I think he would be well suited over there."
Wheeler sports a remarkable record at Australia's famous Oakbank jumping carnival having taken the time honoured Great Eastern Steeplechase on nine separate occasions since he began taking horses there over twenty years ago.
Wheeler is also looking forward to another special event next year when he leads a team of seventy racing enthusiasts to the world renowned Cheltenham jumping festival in March. Organised by tour company Epic Journeys, Wheeler and well known Taranaki racing administrator Carey Hobbs will host tour participants on a 23 day sojourn that takes in the four days of the Cheltenham Festival along with a Six Nations rugby international and the 2017 Dubai World Cup meeting. - NZ Racing Desk