Racing: San Pedro clears first hurdle

San Pedro (red cap, left) and Thenamesbond at Te Rapa yesterday. Photo / Trish Dunell

Cambridge jockey Aaron Kuru will be keeping close tabs on the weather ahead of the first jumping feature of the year.

The 24-year-old will partner the rising star San Pedro in the Porrit Sand Waikato Hurdles on May 21 and their prospects will be further boosted by a softening of the ground.

"He's pretty good and any rain between now and then will be perfect for him," Kuru said.

San Pedro furthered his record over the small fences to three wins and two placings from five appearances, all in Kuru's hands, when the Paul Nelson-trained gelding won yesterday's Porritt Sand Open Hurdle at Te Rapa.

"He won well today, but he didn't enjoy the firmer ground," Kuru said. "He still does a few things wrong, but's he's learning. He's got it all there and he's in the right stable."

San Pedro settled in the body of the field before Kuru urged the nine-year-old forward across the top to challenge three flights from home. The son of Colombia was inclined to lay in down the straight, but he still proved too strong.

"He made the last well and he got away nicely," Kuru said. "He's improved with all his jumping starts and he's going to improve again with this run."

Front-runner Thenamesbond, who gave the winner six kilos, rallied strongly for his second placing while Nancho Lass was a game third with Maharishi the best of the rest.