Racing: Northern attracts just eight

John Wheeler. Dean Purcell / Getty Images

John Wheeler can't understand why the field for New Zealand's biggest jumping race at Ellerslie on Saturday is so small.

There are only eight acceptors for the $100,000 Sharp Great Northern Steeplechase, for which Wheeler will field the topweight and favourite Real Tonic.

Despite having a resume on the flat that includes the mighty Rough Habit, Wheeler is a fanatic on the jumping game.

He is the most successful trainer in the modern era around the Oakbank and Warrnambool carnivals in Australia and is a big supporter of jumps racing in his home country.

He is totally behind the relocation of the Great Northern carnival from June to September.

"I can't work out why there are not more runners in the Northern Steeplechase, but I guess it just happens that way year by year.

"I do believe though that if the club could get the stake up a little more it would see more Australians here.

"The $100,000 is good, but it's only marginally better than the A$60,000 average Saturday stake in Melbourne.

"I know stake money is difficult, but I don't have any doubt at all that many of the top Melbourne jumpers would adapt well from the smaller fences in Australia to Ellerslie.

"If the club could get the stake towards $200,000 I'm sure a lot more Australians would be looking at the race because Melbourne is finished - the Hiskens and the Grand National are the end of it.

"The Melbourne boys are very keen to ride on the big Ellerslie day."

Real Tonic was ridden by Isaac Lupton to win at Ellerslie two weeks ago, but Wheeler's Melbourne manager Brett Scott is making the trip to take the Great Northern ride.

* There are 16 acceptors and a great line-up for the $100,000 Lindauer Great Northern Hurdles at Ellerslie on Saturday.