Horse racing: Great New Zealand Hurdle could crown its first king tomorrow

Hill Of Kings was too tough, even after a radical ride last start. Photo / Kenton Wright

Hill Of Kings’ best jumping days are still ahead of him, but that’s not to say he can’t add another premier victory to his record in double quick time.

The 6-year-old stepped out in top company for the first time last month and gave a polished display to put away his rivals in the Pakūranga Hunt Hurdle (3100m).

On Friday, the son of Time Test will return to Te Aroha to tackle the J Swap Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m) and will again carry the minimum weight of 66kg with Jay Kozaczek to continue his association with the gelding.

“Obviously, he’s still young when it comes to jumping and he’s got it all ahead of him, so we’re pretty excited going into this race after what he did last time,” part-owner and trainer Shaun Phelan said.

The only question mark is Hill Of Kings’ ability to master an extra 1100m and there’s confidence in the camp that he will cope.

“I think he’ll manage, it’s an even field and Berry The Cash has pushed the weights down,” the former champion jumps jockey said.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for the other horses, but from a rider’s point of view, I wouldn’t want to be on anything else.”

Hill Of Kings has also breezed through his last run well and Phelan can’t fault his condition.

“He looks amazing and is bouncing out of his skin, he’s like a 2- or 3-year-old at the moment,” he said.

“We have a horse that is very well and opted not to give him a flat run like a few of the others have done.

“It’s been three weeks between runs, but he’s had a couple of track gallops at different places to tighten him up so hopefully that will be enough to get him there.”

Meanwhile, stablemate Pacheco will be in action in the Stella Artois Handicap (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

He posted consecutive third placings to open his campaign before finishing sixth at his most recent outing.

“He’s been going well and last Saturday, he was caught a bit flat-footed with 59kg in the Rating 75,” Phelan said.

“He pulled up well, so we thought we’d go back to an open handicap with 54kg and get going a bit earlier on him.”

Pacheco holds a nomination for the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m), but his barnmate Notabadspillane is the stable’s top seed for the Riccarton feature.

“I think it’s a realistic target for him, he’s bred to run the distance and we’ve given him a lot of time to get him where he is now, so it was good to see what he did last Sunday,” Phelan said.

Untroubled to win at Te Rapa, he is a half-brother to the dual Group One-winner Pennyweka, with their dam the Pentire mare Tuppence.

She is a half-sister to the Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner and New Zealand Cup runner-up Titch.

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk