Racing: Volkswagin stands out in steeplechase

Karlos, pictured winning last year's Waikato Hurdles, will again be a leading chance tomorrow, despite the presence of Borrack.Picture / NZPA

Taranaki horseman John Wheeler was pretty confident a day or so ago that Volkswagin could win tomorrow's $35,000 Vernon & Vezey Truck Parts Waikato Steeplechase.

Now, with what seemed his only danger, Climbing High dead, he is even more so.

Two weeks ago Volkswagin finished three-quarters of a length behind Climbing High at Te Rapa.

This time Volkswagin was to have met Climbing High 1.5kg better off.

"To be honest, I thought my horse produced the run of the race last time.

"If he's gone on from there he should be winning this time with Climbing High sadly missing. As far as I can tell he has gone on the right way since that last race."

Volkswagin has only four rivals and on current form deserves to be a strong favourite.

"The better the footing the better his chance," said Wheeler. "He doesn't seem to like it when the footing gets deep."

With the forecast for improving weather, the steeplechase course, at least, should be in reasonable condition tomorrow.

Ho Down was an accomplished hurdler who won one of his first two steeplechases before being thrown in at the deep end in the Grand National and Great Northern late last winter.

He should be more seasoned this preparation and is almost certain to be fitter for his run behind Climbing High on this course two weeks ago.

Myths And Legends should not be underrated.

Dinner time conversation around the jumping stables this week is likely to have been how to beat jumping star Borrack in tomorrow's $35,000 Dunstan Feeds Waikato Hurdles.

After his 6.8-length runaway victory in the Te Rapa lead-up two weeks ago that's not going to be easy.

He should get a reasonably suitable track - not too wet - and the small increase in weight is unlikely to be the reason if he is beaten.

Neither should the distance. Borrack is a speedy jumper who likes to bowl along in the lead and he jumps this time from 2400m to 3200m.

But he was a winner at that trip last year. He has won five of his six hurdling starts, the one failure coming in the 4200m Grand National Hurdles last August when he led then folded over the final 600m.

The 69.5kg is a fair bit of weight, but the way Borrack travels it should not be a major issue. The huge improver is Karlos, who performed better when fifth in the Te Rapa lead-up than the run looks on paper. He comes up very quickly in his preparations and will greatly appreciate the increased distance this time.

Former talented flat galloper Dubhdara has won his two hurdling starts, but this is a slight rise in class.

Te Rapa will host a guaranteed $500,000 Pick6 which, if it follows previous trends, will end up closer to $750,000.

Four of the legs are literally packed with form runners and selections in most cases need to be widely spread.