KEY POINTS:
Kevin Hughes rates Black Eagle a top chance to take tomorrow's $60,000 Wellington Steeplechase because of the firmish Trentham track.
Yes, you read that right - the firmish Trentham track.
In the middle of the course.
The Trentham course proper was yesterday rated a heavy 5.5 and Hughes
says he would give Black Eagle no chance at all if the race was run around the course proper.
But because the majority of the race is run through the figure eight centre of Trentham the Christchurch trainer is confident of a big showing.
"I've walked the course and the footing is pretty good through the middle. I believe it will present him with no problems at all."
Black Eagle is not your average slug-it-out steeplechaser that eats mud for breakfast.
He is speedy and has remarkable agility and athleticism for a big horse.
He might have been a touch lucky to land the Waikato Steeplechase two starts back when Blase crashed just as he was challenging in the home straight, but that does not detract from his own performance, which was superb.
The astute Hughes sees the Wellington fences as a big plus.
"They're very testing steeplechase fences through the middle. They're challenging and that's what he prefers.
"The fences are very similar to the ones at Te Rapa that he handled so well."
What Hughes will be hoping for is a Black Eagle with a few lengths break and petrol in the tank for when the field comes out onto the course proper for the 400m slog to the finish.
He can visualise tough stayer Just A Swagger running at Black Eagle late.
"He's a tough old campaigner," said Hughes of Just A Swagger.
"He might have only just started his steeplechasing career, but he's been around a long time."
The element of decent footing in the centre of the track that will suit Black Eagle is what might most count against Just A Swagger.
The dual Grand National Hurdles winner loves the battle that comes with the heaviest of winter footing.
His task will be to stay sufficiently in touch with Black Eagle to be able to launch at the southerner in the closing stages.
Just A Swagger beat Waitete Boy by half a length in the Hawkes Bay Steeples last start and there is a 2kg swing in favour of Waitete Boy this time.
Waitete Boy has had only three steeplechases for a win and two placings and is one of the coming stars of the jumping game.
He displays plenty of guts at the finish of his races and that is going to be one very valuable commodity at Trentham tomorrow.
The interesting runner is Jump To It, dashing winner of his last three with a combined winning margin of 52.25 lengths.
This is a big jump in overall class, but he was super-impressive winning at Te Awamutu last weekend where he was repeatedly taken on in front, but shook off the challengers to run away and win by 17.5 lengths.
As fit as he is, he could be the surprise despite the rise in class.
Jump To It has the speed and jumping ability to stay on the pace around the tricky figure eight circuit.
This should be one of the better steeplechases of the winter.
Latest Trentham betting:-
* Wellington Stpls, $60,000, opn stp, 5500m (run at Trentham tomorrow): $3 Jump To It; $3.20 Waitete Boy; $3.50 Just A Swagger; $5.50 Black Eagle; $15 Fenman; $21 No Yarn, Lignum.
* Wellington Hdls, $60,000, opn hdl, 3400m (run at Trentham tomorrow): $3.50 Just Not Cricket; $5 Van Winkle; $7 Diamondsareforever; $7.50 Counter Punch; $8 Striking; $9 Gold Heist; $10 Ravanelli; $13 Dancing Prince; $15 Atlantic; $21 Waikiki Prince.