Trainer Stephen Ralph is more hopeful than confident that jumper Thenamesbond can extend his winning record at Te Aroha today.
The 10-year-old has an impressive record at the venue, having won 10 races at Te Aroha and will be back at his favourite course when contesting the Knottingly Farm Steeplechase (3500m) where he will lump top-weight of 71kg.
Thenamesbond has won his last two starts with Grand National Hurdles-winning jockey Stuart Higgins aboard, the latest win at Te Aroha last month when beating Notabadrooster. But Ralph isn't expecting the gelding to extend the winning sequence today.
"I'd be surprised if he won it," Ralph said. "He'll need the run because he hasn't run for a while. He'll try, as he usually does, but could be struggling the last bit.
"He's pretty big and missed some work. He banged his back leg in his jumping and we've treated his fetlock joint. That's why I couldn't give him a flat run going into this one. Whatever he does on Wednesday, he'll improve on for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup then the Great Northern."
