Horseman looks to newbie

Paul Nelson says he's still learning about Proposition.
The Hastings horseman won the Manawatu Steeples with Proposition last start, but is not taking tomorrow's $33,500 Hawkes Bay Steeples for granted, given how little he knows about him.
Nelson has only had Proposition since March and the Manawatu Steeplechase was the first jumping race he's started him in.
"It's probably a lot easier when you've worked a horse up in the jumping game yourself, rather than getting one after it's been educated by someone else," said Nelson. "I'm still learning what this bloke's capable of."
What Nelson does know is Proposition can win a major race in his first jumping start in more than two years. And that he has gone on the right way since.
"I'm very happy with him."
Nelson has won this race twice with No Hero and once with JustA Swagger.
Proposition will again be ridden by Jonathan Riddell, who gave up jumps riding while he was partnering Derby-winning champion 3-year-old Jimmy Choux during the season.
Topweight Climbing High won this race two years ago and was beaten into second in it last year by Yourtheman.
Last start, he almost certainly should have won the McGregor Grant Steeplechase at Ellerslie rather than being beaten less than five lengths by Mr Align.
Climbing High sprinted hard almost from the top of the Hill the last time and was left without a finishing burst when Mr Align came along late.
The flat Hastings track better suits his style of racing and the firmer the track conditions will also help him even though he's not useless in the wet.
Yourtheman, again, has to be the horse to beat.
This will be his first jumping start since being narrowly beaten by his stablemate Counter Punch in the Koral Steeples and Grand National Steeples at Riccarton in August last year.
He is fitter for recent racing and when Mark Oulaghan sets one of his jumpers for a task they don't often miss.
Despite his topweight, Mount Sinai is the go-to horse for the Livamole Hawkes Bay Hurdles.
The 68kg will not make his job easy, but he rarely makes a mistake and that counts for plenty.
The only time he made a mistake this preparation almost certainly cost him the Waikato Hurdles.
He got in too close to the last hurdle, landed awkwardly with his hindquarters and couldn't peg back the break Karlos established during the mishap.
Karlos is probably the horse to beat again and at the weights you can make a strong case for him.
Meanwhile, further north track conditions are going to play a massive part in the results at Ruakaka.
For example, Tart'N' Tartan (R7) has won only in heavy conditions and if good weather dries the track, she may not be value.
Trust (R10), appreciated the better (dead) conditions at Ruakaka to win stylishly. Similar footing will see her tough to beat again, but showers would be dead against her.
James McDonald is going to have another huge day at Ruakaka as he seeks to add to his record 203 winners for the season.
Elle Tresor (R4) could be value. She is under rated and has won both her career fresh starts.
Time Pays (R7) has been placed seven times from nine visits to the races and hasn't always had luck.
 
HB Steeples
- Proposition came back from a long break with jumps racing to take the Manawatu Steeples.
- He should be even fitter for tomorrow's race on what is now his home track.
- Yourtheman upset Climbing High in this race last year and looks the threat again.