A new era in New Zealand jumps racing could see a new champion crowned at Te Aroha today.
Although jumping purists would have loved to see today's meeting held for one final time at Ellerslie before the sale of the steeplechase hill, they at least have a superstar of jumping to possibly cheer home this afternoon.
The Cossack has compiled one of the most imposing records in the history of New Zealand jumps racing in the past year, even if it has felt a little under the radar because of a disjointed major jumps racing programmes interrupted by Covid and weather cancellations.
Those haven't stopped The Cossack winning the Great Northern Hurdle at Ellerslie last October, then adding the Waikato, Wellington and Grand National Hurdles this campaign.
He even qualified for the Jericho Cup in Australia on the flat and co-trainer Paul Nelson now dares to talk about him in the same breath as his former steeplechasing star No Hero.
"He is starting to get up there, he is a very good horse," says Nelson.