High hopes for a firm footing

It's that time of year again for Shelley Houston - the blood's pumping for the start of the jumping season.
But as much as that adrenalises the Cambridge horsewoman, it was yesterday's blue skies that really got her going.
It spelled out a decent track for Climbing High in tomorrow's $33,500 Vernon and Vazey Truck Parts Waikato Steeplechase at Te Rapa.
Given that eventuality, Houston is confident Climbing High can repeat his win of last year in the big race.
Twelve months ago Climbing High won the lead-up Ken and Roger Browne Memorial Steeplechase at Te Rapa before going on to win the Waikato Steeples.
This time he finished second in the lead-up, but it would be a mistake to imagine that means the 10-year-old veteran is not the horse he was.
"It's simply that he's a race behind where he was in last year's preparation," said Houston.
"Last year he came in very forward, this time he's going to improve with that run last time."
Climbing High was beaten only threequarters of a length in the lead-up by the John Wheeler-trained Volkswagin, talented enough to have won last year's Grand Annual at Warrnambool.
Wheeler gets his jumpers ready to fire at their first start over fences each year, so it was a solid performance by a less-than-fit Climbing High.
"With two fences to go I could feel him getting to the bottom of himself," said Houston.
"Despite that he boxed on really well - he tries so hard. He had a blow afterwards."
The decent footing is a bonus. Course manager Neil Treweek said if the weather holds as expected, a dead 4, possibly a dead 5, is the probability.
"I'm relieved because earlier it looked like being worse than that," said Houston.
Yourtheman, Mikemeandaad and Mali Juraj look the dangers.
Yourtheman can handle all types of footing - he won the Waikato Hurdles a couple of years ago on a track slightly better than the one he will face this time, and when narrowly beaten by Counter Punch in the Grand National Steeples last August the footing could not have been heavier.
"He's the classy sort of horse that can pop up when you least expect it," said Houston of Yourtheman. "He's the one I'm scared of."
There is no Volkswagin this time, but stablemate Mali Juraj is capable of springing a surprise and Mikemeandaad would probably prefer something a bit wetter, but is worth watching.