Wairarapa trainer Alby MacGregor can sleep soundly this week.
MacGregor had to take up the lifestyle of an insomniac to get Bodle to the post for Saturday's Wellington Steeplechase when injury threatened to deny the horse a start.
Bodle chanced a couple of fences but has come through the race virtually unscathed and is a confirmed contender for the $50,000 Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton on August 11.
"He's pulled up extra well," MacGregor said yesterday.
"There's a little bit (of skin) off his front legs, where he hit a couple of fences and a bit of bruising but we have got plenty of time.
"We put liniment on last night and this morning and he's quite happy, running around in his paddock. And he was always going to have a day or two off anyway."
Bodle will probably bypass the $20,000 Koral Steeplechase on the first day of the national meeting but might have a lead-up run on the flat.
"He doesn't need the practice (over fences) and will probably go straight into the national," MacGregor said.
"But if I think he needs a run, he might have a go on the flat on the first day. But it will depend on what he does over the next couple of weeks."
MacGregor deserved the first prize money after going the extra mile to ensure Bodle was able to start.
Bodle was not in good shape after knocking his leg in a couple of places when winning on the first day at Trentham and was under constant treatment, mainly with ice packs, during the week.
"It was a 24 hour job," MacGregor said. MacGregor was replacing the ice packs three times a night - at 9 pm, midnight and 2 am - throughout the week and Bodle's leg was still being packed in ice, as a precaution, on the day of the race.
MacGregor admitted he was "yawning a bit" as he "came over the hill" from Masterton on Saturday morning but Bodle's runaway win was ample compensation.
"It was all worth it."
The win was a career best for MacGregor, 54, who has been involved in the racing industry all his working life.
He served an apprenticeship as a rider, winning 12 races but was unsuccessful "from a few goes" over fences.
Weight problems ensured his career as a rider was not a long one but he credits his original boss, Morrie Bowden, who trained at Carterton in the Wairarapa, with giving him a thorough grounding.
"He (Bowden) is a very astute horseman and taught me how to look after a horse," he said.
MacGregor now trains a small team in conjunction with overseeing the track maintenance at the Opaki course at Masterton.
"I like a small team. I like to have a personal touch with them and to keep my finger on the pulse."
MacGregor races Bodle in partnership with Wairarapa farrier Gavin Semmens who bought Bodle, then a rising two-year-old and his dam, Sovada, for the rock bottom price of $3.
Semmens did not get any foals from Sovada but Bodle has been an almost constant source of fun and revenue, winning 14 races and earning more than $160,000.
MacGregor did not become involved with Bodle until the horse was a rising eight-year-old.
Bodle had won three races on the flat at that stage but appeared to have reached his mark and might not have raced again if MacGregor had not suggested trying the Pat's Victory gelding as a jumper.
Bodle is unbeaten in four starts over country and has had seven wins and 13 placings from 27 starts over hurdles.
- NZPA
* It would have been a long drive back from Trentham to Cambridge for trainer Sheryl Douglas after Our Bro had to be put down in the Wellington Steeplechase.
The eight-year-old gelding broke his pelvis being brought down by Mi Senor.
Racing: Bodle repays TLC with steeples win
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