3 minute read

Mr Mor has convinced his connections that he deserves another crack at Ellerslie’s premier steeplechase.

The Wanganui jumper has arrived home from his latest trip to Christchurch in such good order that his trainers have now confirmed a second tilt at the Meadow Fresh Great Northern Steeplechase on September 3.

Mr Mor finished runner-up in the Grand National Steeplechase 12 months ago before he was pulled up in the Northern and he will be looking to turn his Auckland fortunes around next month off another second placing at Riccarton.

The gelding was withdrawn from the Koral Steeplechase with 500 metres to run, but with a gear switch and a change of jockey to Matthew Cropp he beat all but Upper Cut in the National.

“We put a tongue control bit on him and it made a difference,” said Evan Rayner, who prepares the 12-year-old with his daughter J. J.

“We were a bit half-hearted about going to Ellerslie, but he’s come home so well and there’s nothing else for him so we’ll have a go.

“He won’t race again before the Northern and he’ll be doing a lot of work at the beach.”

Mr Mor’s stablemate and Christchurch travel companion Taurus is also none the worse for his southern venture and he will be set for the Gr.3 Merial Ancare Metric Mile at Awapuni on September 10.

Taurus placed in both his appearances at Riccarton where he gave four and a half kilos to the Gr.3 Winter Cup winner Miss Three Stars and six kilos to Heni when again third in the open sprint on the final day of the meeting.