Jacqui Fleming has done her homework for the Wellington Steeplechase at Trentham tomorrow, including walking the figure-eight course on Tuesday.
The Rotorua co-owner, trainer and rider of Currency says she has left nothing to chance because the horse is all class and deserves a rider who knows exactly whathe or she is doing.
Fleming took over Currency's reins this season for a 34-length win in the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase at Hastings a fortnight ago and a second to Golden Flare in the McGregor Grant Steeplechase at Ellerslie in mid-June.
Golden Flare, the Mercedes Great Northern winner as a maiden jumper on June 3, is again a formidable rival in the Wellington Steeplechase, the more so because he meets Currency on 1kg better terms than in the McGregor Grant.
Fleming is not complaining about the handicaps, though, because her horse has won seven steeplechases, including a Grand National at Riccarton, to Golden Flare's two.
Nor is the 5500m fearful. It is the same distance as the Grand National.
What concerns Fleming more about tomorrow's race is the boggy state of the Trentham track from the 800m and the lack of a pacemaker.
"It won't be so bad when they're going round the figure-eight in the centre of the course," she said yesterday, "but they have to run the last 300m to 350m on the course proper.
I'm not looking forward to that.
"I'd also much prefer a pacemaker like Silver Archer to track into the race. Mi Senor might lead, and one of Ken and Ann Browne's three runners might go forward, but I fear there won't be much of a pace and it'll be pretty much a tactical race."
Fleming said she had a slight hiccup with Currency's preparation this week.
The 10-year-old gave every sign of being too fresh and in danger of doing himself an injury so copped some extra work.
"He's got dickey legs and is already headache material," Fleming said. "But he's 100 per cent now. In fact, he's flying."
Te Awamutu stablemates Willie Tee and Sir Avion are the most discussed Wellington Steeplechase candidates after Currency and Golden Flare.
Both horses had to be content with feature-race seconds last year behind the Jumper of the Year.
Sir Avion was beaten 24 lengths by Bodle in the Wellington Steeplechase and Willie Tee went down fighting to the same horse in a photo finish of the Grand National at Riccarton.
