Racing: Newcomer out to maintain record

The 4190m Great Northern Hurdles distance is sure to test Just Not Cricket.

There cannot be many unbeaten jumpers that have tried to win a Great Northern Hurdles.

If you said it hadn't been attempted, someone would come up with one.

Regardless, Just Not Cricket is in the unique position of trying to maintain an unbeaten record over fences in New Zealand's premier hurdle race at Ellerslie tomorrow.

The record books show that the Hastings 9-year-old won on debut over fences as recently as July 1, but that does not tell the complete story.

Just Not Cricket has been extensively schooled for two years and was winning hurdle trials two seasons ago, when trained in the Waikato.

And that experience shows.

The winning margin on debut was a bare short head, but he has got better with each attempt, scoring by 5.5 lengths at Riccarton then assuring favouritism for this race with a runaway victory at Ellerslie last start.

Trainer Paul Nelson has had Just Not Cricket for only a handful of starts and admits he is guessing a little about a few issues, particularly what surface suits the horse best.

"He's only been in the worst of ground since I've had him, but by the sound of what I've picked up, he is just as good when it's a bit better."

Yesterday morning the Ellerslie surface was 3.9, an ideal rating for jumping's most gruelling contests.

How it races tomorrow will depend on the path of a low pressure system, yesterday sitting east of Brisbane.

There is the possibility or rain tomorrow, which would certainly downgrade the track, but it will not get to the bog stage.

"If we don't get rain, something around 3.6 is likely," said the Auckland Racing Club's Kevin Robertson.

The 3350m of his last start is the longest distance Just Not Cricket has run. But Nelson does not anticipate a problem with the extreme 4190m.

"He's a big, long-striding relaxed horse."

Nelson won the Great Northern in 2002 with Chibuli and says Chibuku had two attempts, but could not run in the money.

Nelson will also saddle his Grand National winner Just A Swagger, who this time at Riccarton ran into Yourtheman and finished second.

He sees Yourtheman as the main danger to Just Not Cricket.

The feeling is reciprocal from Yourtheman's trainer Mark Oulaghan.

"Yes, he is one of the toughest along with Waitete Boy and Our Front Line, although he's making a bit of a step up."

Oulaghan said the trip to Riccarton and two tough races in very heavy ground appeared not to have had an effect on Yourtheman.

He says he would prefer to see the Ellerslie footing either improve further or be wet and loose with rain on the day.

"The thing I'm most worried about is a deep, puggy track. He's no good when it's like that."

Just Not Cricket will be ridden by Jonathan Riddell, Brett Scott has been engaged for Norville Prince and fellow Australian-based rider Craig Durden will steer Just A Swagger.

The TAB market: $4.50 Just Not Cricket; $6.50 Yourtheman; $9 Van Winkle, Waitete Boy, Our Front Line; $10 Striking; $11 Norville Prince; $12 Poacher; $13 Just A Swagger; $21 Waikiki Prince; $26 Gallant Son, Sam McClay; $31 My Barrymore; $41 Royal Kiwi, Slash 'N' Burn; $51 Judderbar.