Shaun Fannin is caught in a tussle with northern hoop Shaun Phelan for the lead in the jumps jockey premiership and he is hoping to gain an advantage at Whanganui today.
The local jockey has a quality book of rides, headed by the Kevin Myers-trained Mandalay in the Open Steeplechase (4100m).
The nine-year-old mare has been in good form of late, winning at Whanganui two starts back before finishing runner-up behind her star stablemate Tallyho Twinkletoe in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton last month.
"Her three jumping starts this season have been very good," Fannin said yesterday.
"Her win at Wanganui and her run at Riccarton were on extremely heavy tracks, which she really seems to appreciate, but she probably won't get it as heavy [today].