KEY POINTS:
Jamie Gillies limped as he landed off the back of Fair King after winning yesterday's $30,000 McGregor Grant Steeplechase at Ellerslie but felt no pain - he was thinking ahead to the Great Northern Steeples in September.
The injured jumps jockey is certain that only misfortune can beat the unbeaten 'chaser in New Zealand's most famous jumping race.
But trainer Ann Browne wasn't so sure that she will even aim the young jumper at the Great Northern this year.
"At five, he's only young; he might be better waiting until next year. But then, in this game, you have to make hay while the sun shines - a lot of things can go wrong."
If Fair King takes on one of the big ones this year it will be the Great Northern - Browne says her other outstanding steeplechaser, Primo Canera, is her best prospect for the Grand National at Riccarton in August.
Through the 4900m race, Gillies felt none of the pain in the thigh that was galloped on during a fall at Wanganui on Saturday.
And the adrenaline immediately afterwards promised to keep it at bay for a long stretch.
"He's just amazing," Gillies said. "He stood off from nowhere at a few of them and never looked like making a mistake."
There would be no problem with Fair King seeing out the 6400m Great Northern.
Yesterday, Gillies made big demands of the horse, keeping him outside the leader for much of the race, then taking him to the lead 1600m out.
Browne explained the tactics: "I told Jamie not to wait until he was tired to make his move."
* Taranaki trainer Ian Adams shook his head at the sight of Mexican Wave fighting out a typically dour finish to narrowly win yesterday's $30,000 K S Browne Hurdle.
"He couldn't get past 1600m on the flat and here he is running out strongly after 3350m."
Mexican Wave is to be booked for one of the longer feature jumps races, which will suit his sheer determination.
"I might look at the Great Northern Hurdles or even the Grand National," said Adams.
"But I'll have to back off at some stage, I can't keep him going right through."
In a wonderful finish, gallant pacemaker Grani yielded in only the last couple of bounds and the favourites, Dan Moran and Just Not Cricket, were a couple of lengths away after being in winning contention over the last hurdle.
Dan Moran raced in fairly tight quarters back on the rail in the middle stages but came through at the right time and appeared to have his chance. Just Not Cricket raced dourly but battled on gamely.
* Co-trainer Craig Amrein wished his father, John, had lasted long enough to see Waitete Boy score his first win over the big fences at Ellerslie yesterday.
"Dad died four weeks ago and he would have loved to have been around to see the team race this winter - he was our greatest supporter."
There should be a bit to watch.
Waitete Boy made his steeplechasing debut with a good second at Pukekohe 13 days ago.
"Not many horses win their first steeplechase at Ellerslie," said Amrein, who trains in partnership with Yvette Keoghan.
"His future was always going to be over the big fences but we didn't give him a start over them last winter because he goes too hard and we were frightened he'd hurt himself."
