Even a firmer track than he generally prefers may not be enough to stop topweight Just Not Cricket being the horse to beat in tomorrow's $50,000 Dunstan Feeds Waikato Hurdles.
Last year's Great Northern Hurdles winner has been beaten over hurdles only once in five starts when thirdto one of his main rivals tomorrow, Norville Prince, on the first day of the Te Rapa meeting two weeks ago.
Although beaten, the Hastings jumper did enough to promote him close to favouritism for this race.
He got back and looked to be just warming up when he flashed into third in the run from the last jump.
"He's got to carry 67kg and I reckon it's a very strong field," said trainer Paul Nelson.
Nelson is unconcerned about the likelihood of a reasonably good surface.
"It was better than the official rating of slow the other day and he managed that.
"I don't expect the conditions to be a problem for him."
Nelson said Just Not Cricket's effort will determine the exact path he takes with the horse this winter - which could include an Australian campaign.
Nelson said he fears five or six of the opposition, but has most respect for Van Winkle and Grani.
"Van Winkle is always difficult in these races up to 3200m. Over the long trips he tends to struggle a bit, but he's difficult to beat in races like this.
"I was impressed when Grani won over hurdles last winter and I thought his win at Paeroa the other day was pretty good."
Despite rising 11, Van Winkle retains plenty of dash, as he showed when a surprise winner on the flat at Rotorua last Saturday.
Southerner Dan Moran impressed in his northern debut when second to Norville Prince in the Te Rapa lead-up ridden by Tom Hazlett, who has this time switched to the talented Counter Punch.
Both horses will be very competitive, as will Norville Prince, a dashing winner in his first jumping effort from his new home with Joanna Moss at Gisborne.
Norville Prince has always looked to have plenty of talent and won't be fazed by the step from 2400m to 3200m.
