Improving track conditions and a clean bill of health for Great Northern Hurdle favourite Nedwin have boosted jockey Aaron Kuru's chances of a jumping double at Te Rapa on Sunday.
The two biggest jumps races on the New Zealand calendar, the $150,000 Great Northern Hurdle and the Steeplechase for the same money, are run away from Ellerslie, which no longer holds jumps racing.
The two races have remarkable symmetry, both dominated by the two topweights who are ridden in each race by leading jumps jockeys and close mates Kuru and Shaun Phelan.
But it must be advantage Kuru now after the last 24 hours have improved his chances in the Steeplechase and confirmed he has a ride in the Hurdle.
He rides Nedwin in the Hurdle and defending champion Magic Wonder in the Steeplechase, with Nedwin only confirmed to start the day before the race.