Racing: Karlos each way in jumps feature

Last year Counter Punch won the race on a track half a metre deep in mud. Photo / File

The Grand National on a firmish track. It hardly seems possible, but that's what the ultimate distance jumpers face at Riccarton today.

It will be in direct contrast to a year ago when Counter Punch won the race on a track half a metre deep in mud.

John Wheeler holds a magnificent hand with last week's lead-up winner Tobouggie Nights and Volkswagin engaged, but this column is sticking to its tip of last week in Karlos each way.

You had to be impressed with the second placing of Karlos in last week's Koral Steeples, his first steeplechase since finishing second in the Great Northern 11 months earlier.

"Yes, he's improved a bit since then," says part owner and co-trainer Sheryl McGlade, who won this race with Karlos' dam Just Jojo.

Although he's a clean jumper, Karlos made a bit of a mess of the second-last a week ago, but rallied strongly to come at Tobouggie Nights again in the closing stages.

He lacks nothing in terms of a fight and with last week's run behind him he is a great each-way proposition.

Thursday night's heavy rain will make Te Rapa today a bit tougher, but as winter tracks go Te Rapa is never a nightmare.

After being unlucky enough to run into Baldovino at Ruakaka last start, Universal Music (No1, R1) deserves a winning turn today. He fought Baldovino hard, working right away from the others, but the class of the other horse proved the winner. There is nothing like Baldovino's class in this race. That said, Edensor (No9) made an impression in winning at the recent Te Teko barrier trials and is worthy of consideration on debut.

Quickasucan (No5, R2) is one of this column's favourites. What happened on his home track at Tauranga last start you can only guess at, but he went a shocker. That was just too bad to be true and he's worth another look today. He's normally the most genuine horse around.

Beat the drum - The Jungle Boy (No6, R3) and Jungle Juice (No7) are each likely to walk away with a decent slice of this handicap prize. They finished seventh and sixth last start, but look for a better effort from both this time, particularly if we get showers overnight, which were predicted.

The Foxbridge Plate is a bit of a mystery, except you just want to see Bulginbaah (No2, R6) win it for the fourth time. The old bloke is 11 and victory would be something special. Overall he's come up very well for what seems like his 20th campaign and you can forget that failed performance at Taranaki last start on a track surface that tripped up so many horses. Fritzy Boy (No1) is probably his biggest danger and Fleur De Lune (No10) can run a race fresh if she can get a grip on the track and so will Barinka. The way the track is should count against Katie Lee's fresh-up performance.

Phar Cry (No9, R7) is the type to run a race fresh from a spell. She has twice won in wet ground and likes the Te Rapa track. If she can get a half decent trip from a wide gate she should be right in the finish. Ebullient (No8) is full of class, but has no wet track form. Danrose (No7) and Singapore Sling (No13) are chances in an interesting race.

Margarita Time (No9, R8) got out wide at Ruakaka last start on a day when that simply wasn't possible if you wanted to win. The start before the apprentice rider went a fraction soon when beaten into second by Highlight on this track. That form holds up strongly in this race.

Clifton Ridge (No1, R9) deserves a win. He's been thereabouts in some useful fields and will be fit enough to have the measure of a few of these. On form Whistling Straits (No3) is the one to beat and Henri Jayer (No4) is a must for multi bettors.

Is Da Chief (No7, R10) did well to finish fourth at Ruakaka on that difficult July 16 date and appeals as one of the toughest in the last. Fellow Te Aroha contestant Chart The Stars (No6) also rates highly.

Dillon's standouts

Yet again We've banged on about it for weeks, but that Ruakaka track of July 16 was death to anything that got away from the inside rail. Is Da Chief in the last at Te Rapa was one of them. So was Margarita Time (R9).

Horses for courses Phar Cry in Race 7 at Te Rapa. Watch for Fleur De Lune for the same reason in the big race, although there is a question mark over the state of the track. The better the track the better her chances.

Looked good at trials Edensor, a nice type by Bachelor Duke. Finished strongly to win his trial and down to debut in Race 1 at Te Rapa. He's got to beat the favourite Universal Music though.

Mystery failure Quickasucan (R2). Usually the gamest horse out there, but dropped out completely on his home track at Tauranga last start. Way too bad to be true.