Thubiaan will be racing for more than just first prize money in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat.
Besides the $125,000 winner’s cheque, Thubiaan will collect a $300,000 bonus if successful on Sunday.
The Melbourne Racing Club has offered the bonus to any horse that can win three legs of a six-race series.
Thubiaan won the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool in May and later that month added the Australian Steeplechase at Ballarat to put himself in line for a $425,000 pay day on Sunday.
Since the Australian Steeplechase, Thubiaan has finished fifth to Sea King at Bendigo and lost his rider Richard Eynon in the Crisp Steeplechase at Warrnambool on July 12.
“He had a rider having his first ride on him and he wasn’t 100 per cent used to him,” trainer Eric Musgrove said.
“He asked him to go off a pretty long stride and the horse thought he’d go a bit deeper.
“He gave the fence a bit of a tap and spat the rider out.
“He (Thubiaan) took no harm from it, he’s all good and I’m really happy with him.”
Musgrove said he would prefer a firmer track than the current heavy 10 conditions but he was in no doubt the gelding would run out the 4500m journey.
Thubiaan hasn’t won beyond 3600m and his only test over further was in the Crisp (3900m) last start.
“I would prefer it to be on a bit better ground, but it is the same for all of them,” Musgrove said.
“I believe he’ll run the journey and if he has no bad luck in running he’ll be very competitive.”
Thubiaan is rated a $10 chance in what Musgrove regards as a very competitive race.
He says $3.10 favourite Sea King and $3.50 second pick Bashboy will both relish the conditions while he has a healthy respect for South Australian visitor Dumosa ($16).
