Racing: Riddell plans to stay firmly grounded

Central Districts jockey Jonathan Riddell will not be riding at the big jumps day at Te Rapa on Saturday.

He won't be seen over fences again until he has The Hombre and the A$500,000 Queensland Derby behind him on June 12.

The winter jumping season kicks off in earnest with Saturday's $33,500 Dunstan Feeds Waikato Hurdles and $33,500 Braxton Waikato Steeples, but not even those can entice Riddell away from the desire to keep himself physically safe until after the big Queensland race.

Riddell rode The Hombre to a dramatic victory on an Australian debut in Saturday's A$125,000 Rough Habit Plate, the pair taking themselves from $41 to $5 favourite for the Queensland Derby.

"It would be dumb - and very difficult to take - if I hurt myself coming off a jumper and couldn't ride in the Derby," said Riddell yesterday.

"They've still been ringing for jumps rides for him," said Riddell's manager Brent Wall.

"The jumping trainers have been very good about it, more than one has said they wouldn't be riding over fences either given the same circumstances."

Riddell and Wall agree there is no such thing as a totally safe jumper.

"Look at Just Not Cricket in the Wellington Hurdles last year," said Wall.

"Jonathan thought he'd be as safe as a church on him and look what happened."

Riddell and Just Not Cricket fell early in the race and the veteran jumper was retired.

Riddell will, instead, ride on the flat at Awapuni on Saturday and at Hawera on Sunday.

High-class jumper High Season, winner of last year's Grand National Hurdles, will start joint topweight in the Waikato Hurdles. On the same weight will be Yourtheman, a maiden steeplechase winner last week.

Also nominated is Gore-trained Kidunot, winner of last winter's Great Northern Hurdles at Ellerslie. He left Knapdale on Saturday and arrived at Richard Collett's Pukekohe stable on Sunday. Trainer Ellis Winsloe wants a good track for the tidy hurdler.

Climbing High will be the horse to beat in the Waikato Steeplechase.