Racing: New hurdle for Mazzacano

Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

MELBOURNE - Mazzacano has made a name for himself as a steeplechaser but trainer Robbie Laing has decided to send him over hurdles for his lead up to the A$150,000 Grand National Steeplechase.

The rising 10-year-old will contest the A$100,000 Kevin Lafferty Hurdle (4150m) at Warrnambool next Sunday.

Laing said that after that race a decision would be made on whether he continues on to the Grand National (4530m) at Sandown on August 15.

The gelding's form has been turned upside down since he carried 70kg to victory over Some Are Bent in a 3300m steeplechase at Sandown in April.

Mazzacano, winner of two Australian Steeples and a Crisp Steeple, finished tailed off when fourth to Al Garhood in the Grand Annual Steeple (5500m) at Warrnambool on May 6.

He was then pulled up at the top of the straight by Steve Pateman in the Australian Steeple (3900m) won by Tarawera on June 19.

Mazzacano was later found to have pulled a muscle in his back and after recovering from that failure he went around behind the field when last on the flat behind Definitive over 2100m at Sandown last Wednesday.

"He is fine now and he'll run in the hurdle at Warrnambool," Laing said.

"It's just less exhausting than going up the hill in the [Crisp steeplechase at the same Warrnambool meeting] and we'll get a guide on him there.

"It will either be his springboard to the Grand National Steeple or, if he goes poorly, it will be his last start."

Stablemate Vindicating, third to Black And Bent in the Australian Hurdle and runner-up to the classy Some Are Bent in the Tom Corrigan Hurdle (3550m) at Warrnambool on July 11, will also run in the Kevin Lafferty Hurdle.

Sir Pentire, the 2009 Grand Annual winner, who shaded the promising Morsonique in winning a 2800m steeple trial at Moe last Thursday, will contest the A$100,000 Crisp Steeple (4150m).

Laing is looking for an improvement from the 10-year-old who ran last in the Tom Corrigan Hurdle. Sir Pentire is heading towards the Grand National Steeple, a race he was runner-up in to Pentiffic last August.

- AAP