Racing: Tight track against Gold Jet

Tom Hazlett falls short of saying Gold Jet can't win in Melbourne today, but admits he would be mildly surprised if the Southerner did come in first.

The talented Gold Jet makes his Australian debut in the A$75,000 MacDonald Steeplechase at Moonee Valley.

The race is a lead-up to Melbourne's premier jumping event, the A$200,000 Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington on July 9.

Hazlett, who rode successfully in Melbourne for 12 years, believes the Moonee Valley track will not suit Gold Jet.

"It's a sit-and-sprint track in jumping races - they run every steeplechase the same," said Hazlett, who flew to Melbourne last night from his Methven base.

"I rate Gold Jet going around Moonee Valley as akin to racing him at Ascot Park [Invercargill] rather than at Riccarton.

"Moonee Valley is not a stayer's course and I rate Gold Jet a better horse on a long-stretch track like Flemington."

Hazlett is also keen on Gold Jet's chances over the 4500m of the National than today's 3200m.

He rates today's field as strong. "The top six are all fair animals."

Gold Jet had a hiccup at the beginning of his Melbourne campaign when he knocked the outside of a tendon sheath while Hazlett flew to Melbourne to qualify the steeplechaser over fences before Australian stewards.

"It wasn't a great problem, but the medication he had to have meant he couldn't race over there last weekend."

Hazlett said Gold Jet learned quickly during his 'chasing school two weeks ago.

"He tried to hurdle a couple of the fences early, but he developed his rhythm."

Today's topweight Topzoff has 69.5kg compared to Gold Jet's 65.5kg and Melbourne trainer Peter Healey is upset.

Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper quoted Healey as saying he had been forced into running Topzoff only because the horse needed the run going into the Grand National.

"You'd have to question whether they really want good jumpers to run here," Healey was quoted as saying.

Hazlett believes Topzoff, winner of seven of his nine jumping starts and all his three 'chasing attempts, has earned his handicap.

"He's a Moonee Valley specialist. He's capable on other tracks, but he's better at Moonee Valley."

Hazlett says whatever Gold Jet does today he will be a fitter horse for the Grand National.