Racing: Jumpers put track to test

Sheryl McGlade reckons Bart and rider Kara Waters will both improve with the run in tomorrow's steeplechase at Te Rapa.

McGlade is not saying Bart can't win, but she's quick to add that punters should not judge the impressive free-going steeplechaser's chances on his first-up winning run last winter.

"Last year he had a flat trial at Te Aroha then a jumping trial at Ellerslie before winning first up at Paeroa.

"This time he has not had a trial of any description. We wanted to trial him here at Cambridge on Tuesday, but that was out of the question when they got transferred to today."

As some sort of a replacement, Bart was schooled over the steeplechase fences at the Cambridge centre yesterday.

"It was a good school, but he had a good blow afterwards and so did Kara - she needs the race on Saturday as much as the horse does."

McGlade has kept Bart from any serious competition because of the continuing firm tracks. On raceday Bart prefers tracks better than heavy, but McGlade was anxious not to take any chance of jarring the horse's legs so early in the jumping season.

"Even after the rain we've had midweek I'm still a little concerned that the footing might be a touch too firm for him," she said.

"Regardless of what the flat galloper's course is like, it's going to be firmer through the centre of the track for the 'chasers and down the back it's always firmer up against the outside running rail where the fences are. It's by the railway line and the track is slightly built up."

McGlade says if Bart is to have any chance of competing in the upcoming Waikato Steeplechase he has to have tomorrow's race.

It will still take a smart performance to topple Bart. He hasn't won at Te Rapa, but is perfect for the course and he has only 2.5kg over the minimum weight.

Deceit is on the way through to very good things. Facing Bart is a step up, even though she scored her maiden steeplechase win against open horses on this course three weeks ago.

"She's really come on since then, she's flying, I'm delighted with her," said trainer Tony Cole.

Deceit's job was made easier when Crojack, who was disputing the pace with her, crashed heavily at the second-last fence.

"I know they were together at the time, but I felt she would have beaten him home," said Cole. "I thought that was a very good effort because Jonathan [Riddell] put a lot of pressure on her a long way out. She'll go on with it."

Cole said Deceit is better on reasonably good footing. "We'll get what we can with her then take it easy and wait until the better tracks at the end of the winter."

The Kevin Myers visitor Lucky Tip was a runaway winner in a 3200m steeplechase at Trentham on April 30. He looms as a danger on that effort.