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Japan dream for Kiwi owner; Well-performed jumper back to his best; Cup hero at head of field; Wanganui duo to fore again
Japan dream for Kiwi owner
Ray Coupland’s familiar stylised colours might be seen on the world stage next season.
The prominent New Zealand identity has an ownership interest in the boom jumper Thubiaan, a last-start winner of the Brierley Steeplechase at Warrnambool.
Trainer Eric Musgrove prepared Karasi for a winning Nakayama Grand Jump treble in 2005/06/07 and he is keen on a return to Japan with Thubiaan.
“He's a lovely horse, he's got a high cruising speed and he's one of the best horses I've had," he said.
Well-performed jumper back to his best
Roodyvoo made a long-overdue return to winning form at Hastings on Thursday.
It was his first victory since he claimed the Koral Steeplechase at Riccarton in 2012, after which he finished third in the Grand National Steeplechase.
The Kevin Myers-trained gelding was also placed in the National in 2014 while a runner-up finish in the Australian Steeplechase is also on his CV.
Roodyvoo was fourth on the flat when resuming last month and, with the benefit of a patient ride from Mathew Gillies in the Comcat NZ Steeplechase, he was able to post his fourth win at Hastings over the big fences.
Cup hero at head of field
Indikator will return to the scene of his past triumphs on Saturday to lead the field out for this year’s Gr.3 Rotorua Cup field.
The charismatic galloper returned to a hero’s welcome 12 months ago when he won the feature event for the fourth time.
Raced by his breeder Peter Setchell and trained by Keith and Gavin Opie, Indikator won 15 times on the flat and three of his four starts over hurdles.
He was retired earlier this year after he was troubled by a minor leg issue during the early stages of his winter preparation.
Wanganui duo to fore again
The Wanganui combination of Kevin Myers and Scott MacNab have proved a potent combination in amateur riders’ events over the years.
They further emphasised that point at Hastings on Thursday when they teamed up with The Big Opal to claim the Duke of Gloucester Cup Amateur Prelude.
MacNab has won nine amateur rider events during his career and all but one of them have been aboard Myers-trained representatives.