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Regular inter-Island traveller Supercharged has taken no harm from a last-start tumble and remains on track for another crack at the Grand National Hurdles.
For the second consecutive year, Matamata co-trainer and part-owner Wayne Hillis has sent the jumper south to Ross Beckett’s Yaldhurst stable to prepare for the Riccarton feature.
“He’s back again so we’re going to have another crack,” Beckett said. “Like last year, he’ll go back up to Wayne afterwards.”Supercharged found solid form leading into the National 12 months ago, but came to grief 1800 metres from home in the Riccarton feature when a clear second and looking likely to play a major role in the finish.
He had previously won at Wingatui and Beckett is hoping for a similar result at Thursday’s Otago meeting when Supercharged steps out in the Noel Welsh Memorial Hurdle.At his most recent start, Supercharged failed to finish at Timaru through a cruel twist of luck.
“Two horses fell in front of him and he was brought down,” Beckett said. “He’s come through it without a problem though.”Supercharged will again be ridden by Michael Mitchell, who currently holds sway in the chase for the jumping jockeys’ premiership.
The English rider will also have a chance to increase his lead in the race for the title with Duminy in the Good Luck – Casey and Megan Steeplechase.Formerly trained by his part-owner Raymond Connors and now with Tommy Becket, Duminy mixed his jumping last time out but had placed at his previous two appearances.