Racing: Dozens of O'Learys to cheer on jumper

At least 27 supporters will be on hand to cheer home Wanganui-trained Fontera in the world's richest jumping race, the Nakayama Grand Jump, in Japan on Saturday.

The 4250m event carries a stake of 152 million yen ($1.98 million), with about $1 million going to the winner.

Fontera is owned by dairy farming brothers, Humphrey, Michael, Shaun and Dan O'Leary of Whangaehu, near Wanganui.

Trained by jumps maestro Kevin Myers, Fontera has already cemented his claim on the race by finishing second in the traditional lead-up event, the Pegasus Jump Stakes in Japan on March 26, earning about $94,000.

The level of confidence in the camp is reflected in the number of family and friends flying to Japan this week to support the horse.

Michael O'Leary, before he flew out, said at last count the entourage totalled 27.

"The majority is made of the O'Leary clan.

"In fact, there are three Dan O'Learys on the trip, brother Dan, lucky cousin Dan from Matamata, who was on hand when we won the Wellington Hurdles with Kerry Son a few years back, and Dan O'Leary, who owns [top flat galloper] Balmuse. The latter Dan is related, but a few generations to the side.

"But there's also a swag of close mates coming. They include another of our relatives, Stephen Gudsell.

"He's going because he wants to check the place out for when his jumper Our Front Line represents New Zealand in the same race next year - well, that's what he thinks, anyway."

Michael O'Leary was not sure when trainer Myers would be heading off to Japan. He had been back in Wanganui overseeing the rest of his team after the Pegasus Jump Stakes.

"Kevin hasn't told us when he's going, but I'm sure he'll be there come race time," O'Leary said.

Fontera has been in the care of Gisborne horsewoman Joanne Moss and O'Leary said she was pleased with his progress.

"The run to the line on the Nakayama course is a steep climb and Kevin said the horse didn't look like he enjoyed sprinting up the hill during the lead-up race, so has asked Joanne to concentrate on working on that aspect," he said.

"The horse put on 10kg after the Pegasus, and they didn't do much with him the first week, but they have applied the pressure this week, and he's at the right weight now."

O'Leary said he had not seen Myers as excited about anything as he was about this assignment.

"I've never seen him like this. I think Kevin thinks we have a really solid chance of winning this race."

Ironically, Myers has yet to see a live winning performance by Fontera and has suggested he may elect not to watch on Saturday to keep the luck rolling.

Fontera will be ridden again by top Kiwi international jumps rider Craig Thornton, who won the 2002 running of the Nakayama Grand Jump on St Steven for New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler.

- NZPA