It's been a different story over jumps. High Forty won twice over hurdles and his steeplechasing record stands at 13 starts for six wins and four placings.
High Forty finished third in this race a year ago behind Eric The Viking and Palemo and went on a week later to finish fourth to Eric The Viking in the Grand National Steeplechase.
Brian Anderton's forecast that High Forty would get significantly better with more time has been proved correct.
From five steeplechases this preparation, High Forty has recorded four wins and a second.
"But this is a lot harder and he has to step up," says his co-trainer.
"He's beaten everything around here, but he's got to take on some of the best this time.
"You have to weigh up that the mare he's been beating, Faites Vos Jeux, has won only one [steeplechase] and that was only just recently."
That Anderton is certain High Forty will be better with even more age can be weighed from his thoughts that he will bring the veteran north for the Great Northern at Ellerslie next year, but almost certainly not this September.
"We haven't chucked out the idea totally of coming north this time, but next year is more likely."
Anderton believes Upper Cut is the horse to beat.
"Riccarton is going to suit him better than Awapuni and Hastings that he's been going around on. He hits a flat spot then gets going again and Riccarton will suit him there."
One major advantage Upper Cut has is the 66kg, only 1kg above the minimum and 4kg less than High Forty.
Mark Oulaghan shows extreme patience developing his jumpers and has taken all the time necessary with Upper Cut. He is also a master at getting his horses into their grand finals on the right weight level.
Everything suggests this will be Upper Cut's best winter. There is no re-handicap for next week's Grand National for the winner of this race and Upper Cut will still come in on a comfortable weight if he wins tomorrow.
Krase has a lot of class for a jumper and has been restricted to unsuitable races as he's headed into this Riccarton carnival. It would surprise no one if Krase came out of the meeting with a much higher rating.
Eric The Viking has not been in quite the same form as his brilliant winning double at this meeting a year back, but he showed a fair bit of dash in his lead-up at Timaru before wilting late to fifth.
Matamata apprentice Shaun McKay lost his 3kg allowance riding his 30th winner at Waverley yesterday, but it is not quite the end of the story.
A rule change allows McKay to keep claiming the 3kg until the end of racing tomorrow because riders for Avondale today and Ruakaka tomorrow had already been declared.
The claim will be very useful at Ruakaka. McKay rides in-form Amarula in the opening race. The colt has clocked up wins at two of the more recent Ruakaka meetings, in the second of them beating Stradivarius.
In that same form he should comfortably beat tomorrow's opposition.
Another in-form apprentice Brendan Hutton was replaced as the regular rider of classy mare Alleyoop (R2), after his claim was reduced from 2kg to 1kg last week.
Alleyoop was handicapped at 59kg and trainer James Bridge was not keen on the mare going around under 58kg when not properly fit.
Hutton is likely to retain the ride for the coming months and is Alleyoop's probable rider in the Foxbridge Plate should she make the field.
Alleyoop will face a tough opponent in So Wotif, who will be improved for his first-up third at Ruakaka last start. Miss Pelear and In Flight will also offer opposition.
Punting pointers
• Can make it three straight: Amarula (R1, Ruakaka). Has been stylish winning his last two at Ruakaka. This looks no more difficult.
• Deserves a win: Aurora Lights (R5 Avondale). Recent placed form includes a second to hugely talented Hasselhoof. This is easier than that.
• Stiff last time: Sacred Master (R4 Ruakaka). Squeezed back early last start before finishing strongly into second.
