Three New Zealand riders will travel across the Tasman later this month in search of success at the Ballarat Turf Club’s Grand National Jumps Day on August 19.
One of those jockeys will be Aaron Kuru, who doesn’t have a ride booked for the big race at this stage, but he has booked his flights and is looking forward to riding at Ballarat for the first time.
He will be joined by Will Gordon, an English jumps jockey, who will be aboard New Zealand-bred I'll'ava'alf in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m), while
Meanwhile, Shaun Phelan will compete in the race aboard the David and Emma-Lee Browne-trained Monarch Chimes, the pair both having come across from New Zealand.
They'll be looking to improve on their last-start third in the Crisp Steeplechase (3900m) at Sandown last Sunday, where it was tough to make up ground on the tearaway winner, Excellent Rhythm.
"We're looking forward to hosting the New Zealand jockeys who, along with an outstanding line-up of horses, will be a showcase for the high standard of jumps racing in Australia," Ballarat Turf Club chief executive Lachlan McKenzie said.