KEY POINTS:
Captain Jingle is starting to spook Bob Autridge.
The Matamata trainer has always been a big believer in his emerging steeplechaser, but even he is starting to be amazed by what the horse can do.
And it's all because of Proposition, the horse Captain Jingle has to beat in tomorrow's $60,000 Wellington Steeplechase at Trentham.
When Proposition won the McGregor Grant in remarkable fashion by 25 lengths we said he was the next you-beaut, whiz-bang new thing on the jumping scene.
That wasn't an unfair assessment.
The fact Captain Jingle was able to run Proposition down to comfortably win the recent Hawkes Bay Steeplechase is what scares Autridge.
Staying is Proposition's strength and Captain Jingle managed to run him down at his own game.
As impressive as that was, Proposition's trainer Ben Foote is sure his horse will be a fitter and therefore more difficult to run down this time.
But Autridge is equally happy with his horse.
"I'm confident he'll go close again," said the normally conservative Autridge yesterday. "I've had some smart jumpers and this bloke is a bit special.
The unique figure-eight configuration of the Trentham steeplechase course does not suit all horses and is particularly difficult for jumpers having their first look at it.
Autridge is confident Captain Jingle will manage the course because of his maiden'chasing win at Rotorua last winter.
"Rotorua is a tight track where they have to come through the middle and turn quickly, so I believe it will suit this horse."
So unless he is hopeless on the figure-eight, Captain Jingle should be able to stay in touch with the pacemaking horses.
The field comes out on to the course proper for the last 400m of the Wellington Steeplechase and in the testing conditions they'll face on Saturday that is always a slog to the line, which suits Captain Jingle.
His finishing efforts in his last two starts have been remarkable.
"At Hastings I thought fourth was the best he could do when they went down the back straight the last time," said Autridge.
"He was lying fourth at that time and I thought 'the horses in front of him don't make mistakes'. And they didn't, but he still managed to pick them up.
"They weren't mugs and his finish into second at Manawatu the time before was also terrific."
Captain Jingle will have a change of rider from Hastings.
Tony Ihaka landed a lucky winning ride last start through injuries at the two-day Hastings meeting, but regular rider Phillip Turner is back on board this time.
Ben Foote said he would like to see Proposition ridden a bit quieter than he was at Hastings.
"Jonathan [Riddell] needs to relax on him and ride him back a bit. I wouldn't say I'm confident we'll beat Captain Jingle, because I've always felt he is a very smart horse, but I know my bloke is improved and he'll be more difficult to beat."
After a couple of seasons with the same horses competing at the top level, Proposition and Captain Jingle have injected some real buzz into the steeplechasing game this winter.
Primo Canera was one of those previous headliners, but his effort to finish only fifth behind Captain Jingle at Hastings was a disappointment.
By relative standards, Primo Canera has not had a lot of racing, but he is rising 10 and perhaps a couple of lengths off his previous best form.
Just Swagger chased the first two home at Hastings and can always be relied upon for a tough effort.
$60,000 CHASE
* Captain Jingle and Proposition finished first and second in the Hawkes Bay Steeples and look set to quinella this race.
* The pair have emerged on almost parallel lines to be winter headline acts.
* Captain Jingle ran past the talented Proposition late to win at Hastings, but trainer Ben Foote believes Proposition is a fitter horse this time.
* Proposition will be having his first look at Trentham.
