Racing: Dates change looking a big winner

No one could argue that the shifting of the Great Northern Hurdles from Queen's Birthday weekend to this Saturday has been a bad move.

The $70,000 Lindauer Great Northern Hurdles has drawn the best field in the last two decades.

The interesting feature is that at least five of the leading chances would have been missing had the race been run in June.

Starbo, Coup South and Wednesday Night definitely would not have been at Ellerslie at Queen's Birthday weekend, and you can make a strong case that High Season and Just A Swagger would also have been absent.

The Great Northerns of recent times have not been attractive betting races, but you could not image a better betting affair than this year's Hurdles.

The southerners Coup South and Penny Rose, taking on stablemates Van Winkle and Wednesday Night, with Just A Swagger, High Season, Starbo, Midnight Opal and Drizzle thrown in, looks like a punter's dream.

Just A Swagger has won the last two runnings of the Grand National Hurdles, but has also won over fences at Ellerslie and will be super fit for this race.

Coup South is one of the country's most promising jumpers, as is Wednesday Night, and John Wheeler's pair High Season and Midnight Opal will both appreciate the greatly improved track conditions.

It is shaping as one of the icon Great Northerns.