Racing: Trainer rues three missed chances

It just wasn't John Wheeler's day.

But he copped it like the trouper he is.

Wheeler had three good chances which he, and many others, thought would net him both the Great Northern Steeplechase and Great Northern Hurdles.

High Season fell in the Hurdles and, in finishing second, Midnight Opal was a good thing beaten. Real Tonic failed to finish the Steeplechase.

There was nothing wrong with any of the trio yesterday.

"Real Tonic seems fine," said Wheeler. "I had a vet put a stethoscope down him yesterday and he couldn't find anything."

Rider Jonathan Riddell told Wheeler that Real Tonic started to feel scratchy in his hindquarter action halfway through the race. It got worse, and Riddell pulled the horse up late in the race.

"He was gone 2400m out, so obviously something profound was amiss, but there is no evidence of it today," said Wheeler.

Reasoning that time is the best healer, Wheeler is spelling Real Tonic without further veterinary inspection and looking to next year's Great Northern.

"I think the race suits him just fine. If he hadn't found the line like, say, Bart, you wouldn't bother about it next year, but I'm certain he'll get the distance okay.

"He was gone before the distance of the Pakuranga Hunt Cup and he was only just beaten in that."

Wheeler thought Real Tonic had broken down. "I was more relieved than anything."

High Season suffered no harm from his fall.

Midnight Opal had the race won when she shot five lengths clear rounding the home turn. She was still clear coming into the second-last fence, but ran the fence down badly, losing most of that advantage.

She picked up the advantage again, only to lose it completely at the last fence.

Remarkably, Midnight Opal sprinted back at the leaders in the closing 100m, but Starbo sprinted slightly quicker to take the win.

"She was right on track coming into the second-last fence - she was going to strike it in the right stride, then she heard the others coming and took longer strides," said rider Ben Ropiha. "The same thing happened at the last fence."

Wheeler believed even the final stages did not cost Midnight Opal the win.

"High Season falling cost her dearly. She was getting the perfect suck along behind him and when he fell she got flushed out wider and started racing keenly."

Wheeler takes the knocks well.

"I've had plenty of big days and I'll have plenty more. And, I'll have them with these three horses."