Mr Mor
Race Images Palmerston North
Evan Rayner has collected his share of Waikato Hurdles trophies over the years, but has yet to snare one for the Waikato Steeplechase.
At Te Rapa on Saturday, the Wanganui trainer will attempt to set that record straight.
Rayner's previous Waikato Hurdles wins were with Star Count in 1990 and 1991 and Van Winkle in 2007.
These days training in partnership with his daughter JJ, Rayner will saddle Mr Mor in Saturday's Warren Storm Lifebrokers Waikato Steeplechase (4000m), with regular jockey Charlie Studd booked to ride.
"It would be a nice one to win, but he's still on the way up," Rayner said.
"He's as ready as we would hope at this time of year. He went a good race [for fourth in an open steeplechase] at Wanganui last start, making ground. He will improve a lot with the run, but he's ready to go a good race."
The 11-year-old gelding has won four of his 17 steeplechases, putting together a run last winter of a second in the Manawatu Steeples, wins in the Hawke's Bay and Wellington Steeples and a second placing behind High Forty in the Grand National Steeples at Riccarton.
"He ran into a pretty good one in the National, but he certainly didn't disgrace himself," Rayner said.
"We'll go to Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and Wellington again and then after that we'll decide whether he goes back down south for the National again or whether we stay north and go for the Great Northern.
"He's probably only one win away from getting to weights that he might struggle with so we'll just have to assess it as we go."
The Rayners will also send talented flat performers Taurus and Just A Lover to Te Rapa, with 3kg claimer Ryan Elliot booked to partner seven-times stakes placed Taurus in the Aber Holdings at Te Rapa 1400, while Mark Hills is engaged to ride six-win mare Just A Lover in the Nabby's Boxing Gym at Te Rapa 1200.
"Looking at that field, with the claim Taurus should be right amongst it," Rayner said.
"With Just A Lover, 1400m on a hard track didn't suit her last time but back to 1200m with a bit of give in the track, we'd expect her to go a lot better." - NZ Racing Desk
At Te Rapa on Saturday, the Wanganui trainer will attempt to set that record straight.
Rayner's previous Waikato Hurdles wins were with Star Count in 1990 and 1991 and Van Winkle in 2007.
These days training in partnership with his daughter JJ, Rayner will saddle Mr Mor in Saturday's Warren Storm Lifebrokers Waikato Steeplechase (4000m), with regular jockey Charlie Studd booked to ride.
"It would be a nice one to win, but he's still on the way up," Rayner said.
"He's as ready as we would hope at this time of year. He went a good race [for fourth in an open steeplechase] at Wanganui last start, making ground. He will improve a lot with the run, but he's ready to go a good race."
The 11-year-old gelding has won four of his 17 steeplechases, putting together a run last winter of a second in the Manawatu Steeples, wins in the Hawke's Bay and Wellington Steeples and a second placing behind High Forty in the Grand National Steeples at Riccarton.
"He ran into a pretty good one in the National, but he certainly didn't disgrace himself," Rayner said.
"We'll go to Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and Wellington again and then after that we'll decide whether he goes back down south for the National again or whether we stay north and go for the Great Northern.
"He's probably only one win away from getting to weights that he might struggle with so we'll just have to assess it as we go."
The Rayners will also send talented flat performers Taurus and Just A Lover to Te Rapa, with 3kg claimer Ryan Elliot booked to partner seven-times stakes placed Taurus in the Aber Holdings at Te Rapa 1400, while Mark Hills is engaged to ride six-win mare Just A Lover in the Nabby's Boxing Gym at Te Rapa 1200.
"Looking at that field, with the claim Taurus should be right amongst it," Rayner said.
"With Just A Lover, 1400m on a hard track didn't suit her last time but back to 1200m with a bit of give in the track, we'd expect her to go a lot better." - NZ Racing Desk
