KEY POINTS:
Davina Waddell has taken the sensible path with topline jumper Just The Man - one race at a time and no expectations.
That's about all the West Auckland trainer can do with a horse that last winter struck suspensory ligament problems.
Just The Man's win at decent odds
in his first jumping start since last winter did not stagger Waddell, because she went to Te Rapa that day with expectation of victory.
Which is why she feels Just The Man's chances are even better in the $50,000 Braxton Waikato Steeplechase tomorrow.
"I decided I'd take one race at a time and take everything that comes," said Waddell yesterday.
As the winner of a Great Northern Steeplechases, Just The Man is one of our highest rating 'chasers.
His preference for better footing than most steeplechasers prefer means these early-season races are ideal.
The track was rated officially slow when Just The Man scored his win here on April 30 and will be possibly better tomorrow.
The soundness issues have so far not come back to haunt the 11-year-old.
"Suspensory problems are never easy, but, so far, there are no issues with his soundness.
"The leg's as cold as it could be. There is a thickness when he had the problem, but that's not a worry.
"I left him out spelling as long as I could to give the leg its best chance - he didn't come in until almost the end of January.
"I guess when you've had soundness issues with a horse like him you're always aware of it and I keep looking at the leg - no one else would notice it, except me.
"The vet has said there's absolutely no need to worry."
Just The Man goes up from 65.5kg to 67kg, but that is still only 4kg above the minimum weight.
Primo Canera and Waitete Boy are strong chances.
Waitete Boy was the beaten favourite when fourth behind Just The Man, but is the likely improver.
He is a relative newcomer to the bigger fences.
He broke his steeplechasing maiden at Ellerslie last June then in two starts finished second to Just A Swagger in the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase and chased Black Eagle home in the Wellington Steeples.
The relatively lightly-raced Primo Canera should be in for a big winter for the Browne stable.
He looks well over the leg issues that held him back after a hugely promising start to his jumping career and will be fitter for his two highweight runs last month and on May 3.
The Cropp/Wilson stable at Wanganui has made the surprising decision not to claim off Bulginbaah's 59kg in the $40,000 Fairview Motors Sprint.
Bulginbaah will be ridden by Kate Hercock and in his favour is that he's been carrying big weights for the past couple of seasons.
He was freshened after his unplaced run on the tricky track at Manawatu on Sires Produce Stakes Day.
Even with 59kg he is not out of the mix here.
Antipodean, to whom Bulginbaah has to concede 4.5kg, will be a tough opponent and visitor Ben Hogan is not without upset hopes in an interesting field.
BIG CHASE
Just The Man bounced back to winning form at Te Rapa last start.
There are no signs of the leg problems that halted his campaign last winter.
Just The Man prefers good winter footing and should get that tomorrow.
* Last night's TAB fixed odds:
$3.60 Waitete Boy; $4.00 Blase; $4.20 Just The Man; $5.50 Primo Canera; $11 Loki; $13.00 The Mussel Man, Willie Wint; $16 Tempo; $31 Repulse.