Weight O’Leary’s biggest concern in Grand National title defence
Weight is trainer Dan O’Leary’s biggest concern ahead of Captain Runs’ (NZ) (Nom du Jeu) defence of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 151st Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.
The now 11-year-old gelding carried 66kg to victory in last year’s edition but has been lumbered with five kilograms more on Saturday.
“The extra weight is against him, that is my main concern,” O’Leary said. “Most of the field is carrying 65kg and he and Nedwin are carrying 71 and 70.”
However, Captains Run has proven he can handle the weight, carrying it to a runner-up result in last year’s Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m) behind Nedwin, who was five kilograms better off.
Captains Run hasn’t had the best lead in to the Grand National, finishing last over 2200m on the flat when first-up at Waverley last month before losing his rider in a maiden hurdle at Woodville, and he beat just one runner home in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) at Riccarton last Saturday.
However, O’Leary said he has derived plenty of benefit from last weekend’s run and he is hopeful of a bold showing.
“I think he has improved a lot, the race has brought him on,” he said. “We are hopeful.”
O’Leary will also be represented in the race by Zac Flash, who is a $27 outsider.
“I think he is just a runner,” he said.
Captains Run is currently a $7 equal third favourite with TAB bookmakers, alongside Nedwin, in a market dominated by Lord Spencer at $2.05, with Brucie the second elect at $5.50.
Earlier on the card, O’Leary is looking forward to Sidetrack having his second start over hurdles in the Speight’s Ultra On Tap 0-1 Win Hurdles (3100m).
The six-year-old son of Puccini made his raceday debut in the middle of last month where he won over 2100m on the flat at Avondale for former trainer Caitlin McKee.
“When he won that first race we just about fell off the chair, he showed a bit,” O’Leary said.
With a jumping future in mind, Sidetrack returned to O’Leary’s care and had his first start over hurdles at Riccarton last Saturday where he finished eighth.
“We were quite pleased with his run on the first day, it was his first start over hurdles, so we think he can run another cheeky race,” O’Leary said. “He is a horse that is learning a lot, so it is all education as much as anything.”
O’Leary has plenty of time for Sidetrack and believes he can make a top jumper in time.
“He could be a horse for the future, and that is what we are hoping for,” he said.
“He can take a jump nicely and he will probably be better steeplechasing, he jumps more like a steeplechaser than a hurdler. Hurdlers skip their jumps whereas he jumps them.
“It (Christchurch trip) is a tremendous education for the future. In two years’ time he might come back and be a different horse for the Koral or National. You have got to do this education step for the future.”
While his future lies with jumps racing, O’Leary said Sidetrack will likely return to the flat before heading for a spell.
“I know there is an amateur race again up in Te Aroha over the jumping carnival and he will probably go back to that,” he said. “We will give him a couple on the flat, and that might just about do him.”
