Racing: Heavy testing track right up Fenman's alley

Punters got slaughtered when Fenman fell on the flat in the Ellerslie steeplechase last weekend, but the horse himself got away with a small cut to a hind leg.

The Awapuni 'chaser will be back to avenge that misfortune at Ellerslie tomorrow and this time trainer Gary Vile is full of confidence.

Vile had been hoping a win in last week's maiden steeplechase would have set Fenman up to be nicely placed in this intermediate chase. Instead, as a maiden jumper he faces horses that have won.

Vile's opinion that Fenman is likely to be in the Great Northern Steeplechase late in the jumping season offsets that.

The heavy, testing track conditions will be in Fenman's favour.

"He stays all day - he's a real tough bugger," says Vile.

Just The Man has won one of his four steeplechase starts and an impressive school over the Ellerslie Hill earlier this week puts him in with a chance to upset the potential favourite.

"I'm really pleased with his progress," said trainer Davina Waddell.

The Browne stable, which has often made the former traditional Queen's Birthday weekend its own, has three runners, Ilika Dance, Jolly Sir and Havana City, although Jolly Sir was suffering leg soreness yesterday and is a doubtful runner.

"Missy [Browne] claimed Havana City was going to win the steeplechase last week before he fell on the flat on the Hill with Fenman," said Ann Browne.

"I don't know if that was wishful thinking or not, but he's in with a show. I thought Ilika Dance went a bit more like he can go last week even though he was only fifth."

Browne has a slight preference for Danz over the stable's other two runners, Royal Kiwi and Angel's Hero, in the hurdles.

In a particularly strong line-up, Tacit Approval, Power Ball and Dondinello are top winning chances.

* Nominations were left open until 9.30am today for five races on the second day of the Ellerslie meeting on Monday.

When nominations closed yesterday only six horses were nominated for the $50,000 Northern Steeplechase and 10 for the $40,000 Northern Hurdles.

Bart, Deceit, Command Performer and the Browne trio Bit Of A Myth, Kia King and The Storytella are the nominations for the steeplechase.

The maiden hurdle has just 10 nominations, surprising given the large numbers of novice jumpers at recent trial meetings.

The PQ 1600m (six nominations) and the Cornwall Handicap (11 nominations) are the remaining two races left open.