Racing: Long break between fences for Sargent

It may seem like a departure, but Matamata horseman John Sargent goes to Te Rapa today as a jumping trainer.

Better On Top makes his jumping debut in the Craig Thornton Steeplechase.

It will seem like foreign territory for Sargent to some, but those with a memory will recall him doing a huge job with African Prince in the 1980s.

"He was a terrific horse," said Sargent last night. "He was going so well here I took him to Melbourne and he won first up then won the Crisp Steeplechase.

"He started favourite in the Grand National [Steeples], but put in a short one and fell."

Better On Top might be just the right type for jumping. He has always had plenty of ability in the flat, but a little less predictability.

He's the sort of horse that can sometimes find a much better level of reliability in the jumping field.

"He was jumping [hurdles] at home last year so we decided to put him straight to steeplechasing for his jumps debut," said Sargent.

Better On Top ran a blinder on the flat first up at Te Aroha two starts back, coming from clear last on the home bend to be taking significant ground off the leaders in the closing 120m.

"He can run any sort of times on occasions, but he went pretty ordinary last start after that terrific Te Aroha effort."

As much as he's been there before, Sargent looked for confirmation from fellow trainers.

"I called John Wheeler, who knows more about this jumping caper than I do. John said Te Rapa was the perfect track to start off a horse's jumping career at because the fences are pretty much all in a line.

"Better On Top is a clever jumper and if he relaxes he's going to be very hard to beat. I think Isaac Lupton will suit him."

Wheeler has Cross Lease engaged in the first and he should be difficult to contain.

Later, immediately after Better On Top, good-class jumper Climbing High goes around in the Ken and Roger Browne Memorial Steeplechase.

Climbing High loves decent footing and the conditions today will be perfect for him.

His last jumping start was a stunning victory in the Hawkes Bay Steeples last winter.

He probably would have made that four in a row during that time but for striking an unsuitable heavy track at Ellerslie for the McGregor Grant Steeples, in which he was beaten a neck by fellow Te Awamutu 'chaser Willie Winit.

Beau Ideal in Race 9 looks one of the better chances on the flat.