Star hurdler Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) will make his debut over bigger fences on Saturday at Te Rapa, offering an insight into what his jumping campaign may consist of this season.
Among a stable of highly-talented jumpers including The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), Nedwin has established a sterling record of his own, winning two editions of the Wellington Hurdles (3200m), a Waikato Hurdle (3200m) and a Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) over three seasons, amassing over $300,000 in prizemoney.
The 10-year-old has one of the country’s highest hurdle ratings, prompting trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal to turn to steeplechasing, at least for now.
“We were intending to give him a run over the steeplechase fences at the end of last season, but that didn’t happen,” Nelson said.
“If he has a steeplechase run on Saturday, it means we can still go back to the hurdles if we think that’s suitable.
“Steeplechasing is the natural progression for him, he’s getting plenty of weight over hurdles so he can have some weight relief on Saturday, and if he goes well, then he might get up there again in the steeplechase ratings. But he’s got to go well first.”
The son of Niagara will carry less than 70kg in a jumping race for the first time since October 2022 when he takes his place in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Steeplechase (3900m).
Earlier in the meeting, stablemates Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) and Taika (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) will go head-to-head in a strong field assembling for the Jones Trucking Hurdle (2800m).
Taika made his debut over the hurdles two years ago and hasn’t looked back since, winning three races and placing in a Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m), Wellington Hurdle (3200m) and Great Northern Hurdle (4200m).
His younger counterpart Dictation entered the jumping scene last season and has been similarly impressive, with his three wins only marred by a fall at the final fence of the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) in Christchurch last August, costing him the feature.
Both horses appeared on the flat at Rotorua on May 10, and Nelson was pleased with their efforts as a stepping stone to Saturday’s first-up jumping assignment.
“I think we got what we wanted with them, they had a good hit-out and they didn’t want to pull up at the end of the race, which would indicate they are ready to go a bit further,” he said.
“We took Taika to the jumping trials and they’ve both had a jump here (at home in Hawke’s Bay), they know what they’re doing.
“Dictation hasn’t lined up with the big boys before, so we’ll see with him whether we go on to those bigger races. Taika’s shown that he can measure up and he’ll probably come back to the Waikato Hurdles after Saturday.”