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The Oysterman has his share of tricks and his connections are happy to play along with the jumper’s zany nature.
“He’s by Yamanin Vital and he’s got his quirks alright,” said trainer Stephen Nickalls, who shares in the gelding’s ownership with former All Black Gary Knight.
“He does a lot of work at the beach and by the time he gets there he’s dripping with sweat every time, but that’s just him and if he’s not sweating then I know I’m in trouble.”
Nickalls’ partner, fellow trainer and Knight’s daughter Laura, is also well aware of The Oysterman’s offbeat behaviour.
“We’ve done a lot of show-jumping and Laura took him along to a sports day and he stood there and dug a hole down to his knees. We don’t mind putting up with him when he’s racing like he is though.”
The Oysterman prompted celebrations at his last jumping appearance when he broke his duck over the big fences in the Manawatu Steeplechase.
His main winter target is the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase, now to be run at Hastings on Thursday after the wild weather forced the abandonment of Saturday’s meeting at Trentham.
“That had been his number one target all year and it will be a dream come true to win it - we’ll be there with bells on,” Nickalls said.
Unlike a number of his rivals on Thursday, The Oysterman won’t be heading to Riccarton for next month’s Grand National meeting.
“We’ve been down there twice and both times he got hurt,” Nickalls said.
“We’ll probably work our way toward Auckland for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup and the Great Northern. He ran fourth in the Northern two years ago and he’s certainly a much better horse now.” - NZ Racing Desk.