By BARRY STREET
Bettors should not be disillusioned by Sir Avion's indifferent formline nor his unorthodox preparation for the Waikato Hurdles at Te Rapa tomorrow.
The 1998 Hurdler of the Year has been attempting a comeback following a two-year enforced spell with racing on the flat and over steeplechase fences.
Two starts back he looked on the brink of steeplechase stardom when second to Harding in a shortish 3200m steeplechase at Ellerslie.
Then he blotted his copybook by standing off too far at an early fence in a 4000m maiden steeplechase he was confidently expected to win at Te Rapa a fortnight ago.
But owner-trainer Kevin O'Connor, of Te Awamutu, said yesterday he was not too disappointed by Sir Avion's mishap, the only jumping mistake of his life.
"He took the fence too cheaply, landed on top of it and tossed Ross Elliot. It should be a good lesson to him," O'Connor said.
But for having earned big weights with his Waikato Hurdles second and Great Northern-Wellington Hurdles double in 1988, the now 8-year-old Sir Avion might not yet have been seen as a steeplechaser, O'Connor said.
"I've been too scared to run him over hurdles because of the risk of his earning even more weight.
"He's been conditioned over country for the Waikato Hurdles, and I'm satisfied with what he's done.
"Beyond this weekend it is possible he could attempt a Great Northern Hurdles-Steeplechase double at Ellerslie."
Esprit Du Nord and Sir View are among Sir Avion's main rivals tomorrow after finishing first and second in a 2400m lead-up open hurdles race at Te Rapa a fortnight ago.
Another definite chance is Crojack, who finished third on the first day and won last year's Waikato Hurdles.
Esprit Du Nord was a good flat galloper before he switched to jumping. That, plus any amount of recent racing, will stand him in good stead for his most important hurdles race.
Sir View also produced good flat form. Over hurdles he has a faultless formline of two wins and three placings from as many starts.
Kevin O'Connor, a stalwart and former president of the Waipa Racing Club, also has a fair chance with Willie Tee in tomorrow's Ecolab Waikato Steeplechase.
Willie Tee's consistency has been admirable - 19 steeplechase starts for three wins and 10 placings, including seconds at his last two starts.
Prince Of Clouds outfinished him over 4000m at Te Rapa a fortnight ago and should not mind the step up to 4900m tomorrow. Nor should All Rhythm, third in the lead-up and third in last year's Waikato Steeplechase.
Willie Tee deserves some luck this time, O'Connor pointed out.
"He was leading at the second-last fence in last year's Waikato Steeplechase only to get taken out by a riderless horse."
Racing: Sir Avion back and ready to win
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