By Barry Street
Brave jumps jockey Tina Egan expects Kildary King to give another good account of himself at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The New Zealand Jumper of the Year is not long over a foot injury and has 67kg to overcome in the $30,000 Pakuranga Hunt Cup.
Despite those two handicaps, Kildary King can be assured to give his utmost as usual, Egan says.
The dual Wellington Steeplechase winner was given the green light to contest the Pakuranga Hunt Cup after he ran satisfactorily, albeit unplaced, in a 1975m open flat trial at Cambridge last Thurs- day.
"Shane Simon rode him in the trial, and he went okay for him because he's no flat galloper," Egan said yesterday.
"I was on another horse and took particular notice that Kildary King finished about half a length ahead of [Mercedes Great Northern Steeplechase winner] Royal Ways."
It was just what the doctor ordered after Kildary King sprang a plate and ran a nail into a hoof after his momentous Wellington Steeplechase double with the steadier of 65.5kg at Trentham in mid-July.
A fairly long float trip from owner-trainer Eric Cryer's farm at Awakino to Cambridge and back was also expected to improve his condition.
The foot injury prevented Kildary King contesting the recent Grand National Steeplechase at Ric- carton.
It was also aggravated by an infection.
"He came right only two or three days after he sprang the plate," Egan said, "but went lame again the day after he resumed work.
"Very likely he got some mud in the wound."
Kildary King has three in-form rivals to deal with on Saturday - Royal Ways, last year's Pakuranga Hunt Cup winner, Tassenberg, and the much-improved Boon's Boy.
The Ann and Ken Browne-trained Boon's Boy looked excellent Great Northern material for next season when outfinishing Willie Tee in a 3900m steeplechase at Puk- kohe last Saturday.
Having to carry 67kg twice over the Ellerslie hill will be Kildary King's main hardship on Saturday, Egan says.
The course is the same as that for the McGregor Grant Steeplechase, in which he beat Royal Ways by 13 lengths with 64kg, at Ellerslie two months ago.
"Actually, I'm not so much worried about his weight on Saturday because he's fit and seasoned," Egan said.
"What I'm more concerned about is the weights he'll find harder to manage early next jumping season when he's not so fit."
Horse Racing: Kildary aiming to be king
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