The Big Opal produced a gem of a performance yesterday to complete a dream opening to the Grand National carnival at Riccarton for Kevin Myers.
The Wanganui jumper produced a flawless display off the front to win the NZI Koral Steeplechase in a canter ahead of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase in seven days' time.
The Big Opal was partnered by Mathew Gillies and completed a clean sweep of the jumping events for Myers following the earlier successes of the Shaun Fannin-ridden duo of Ngario and Mailly.
For Gillies, it represented a perfect return to riding after a nasty fall at Trentham last month left him side-lined with concussion.
"That was great and it was Kevin's decision for me to ride him so well done to everybody involved," Gillies said.