The Jolly Dancer looks a weight special in tomorrow's $40,000 Hawkes Bay Steeplechase.
The Awapuni 'chaser has won three steeplechases, including the Manawatu Steeples last start, but carries the minimum weight of 63kg. One of his main dangers, Waitete Boy, has won one of his two steeplechase startsand is on the same weight.
The Jolly Dancer's Manawatu victory was comprehensive.
Trainer Mark Oulaghan and rider Tom Hazlett have reasoned that the horse is much better when ridden in front.
He has led in three of his seven starts over the big fences and has won each time so don't be surprised if he is making his own arrangements up front tomorrow.
The wetter the better for veteran Just A Swagger, so perhaps his failure behind The Jolly Dancer on a relatively good winter surface at Manawatu was understandable.
He scored his maiden debut 'chasing win at Wanganui before that and if rain happened to worsen the Hastings surface he would be seen as a serious threat.
Waitete Boy looks to have huge potential.
It is a big jump from a maiden steeplechase at Ellerslie to this race, but he has pace to stay on the speed, which might be important, and he does not lack fight.
Few horses score as impressively on debut in a steeplechase as Dancing Prince did at Wanganui last start.
He and the improving Bart are definite trifecta chances.
* Despite the 59.5kg clear topweight, Bulginbaah should prove difficult to manage in the $25,000 Taradale Club 1400m at Hastings.
He has been freshened since his game and close second to Kenadaad at weight-for-age at Wanganui on Queen's Birthday weekend and should have benefited.
There is plenty of class underneath him getting decent weight concessions.
Samurai is one of them. He has not raced since November and might be better for it, but deserves some attention.
Northerner Zamfir gets respect and Just Looking might run a cheeky race in his first since March.
