The time honoured Pakuranga Hunt (4900m) is a Premier steeplechase and the traditional lead up now to the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m). The winner today was Jack Romanov with some efficient jumping and then taking over before the home turn. He ran out the two times over the Ellerslie hill well enough but now the key question remains can he climb it three times? He ran a distant fifth in the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) last month so must be a risk as Trentham is a flat course. Snowdroptwinkletoes cruised into third across the top after sitting out the back for most of the race and looks on target for the Great Northern Steeplechase. He was a distant fourth in the 2013 event. The key too this 9yo is he needs loose heavy footing rather than holding gluey conditions. The current reigning Great Northern Steeplechase winner Amanood Lad set all the pace but got headed across the top and tired to a distant third but his main aim remember is to defend the title. He loves Ellerslie so much that one day would make a super Clerk of the Course mount. Big Brownie plugged on and always respect Ann Browne runners if set for either Great Northern (Hurdle or Steeple) as none will line up any fitter. The Oysterman, a maiden on the flat and over fences, was a distant fifth but will be all the better for a first look at the Ellerslie hill. He looks like he can keep going and may try to create history in the Great Northern Steeplechase next month. The big flop was Carinya that settled back and never ever looked likely before being pulled up before the final fence. She is better than that.