John Wheeler will shoot for his fifth victory in the Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool with Tobouggie Nights and he believes the gelding has the right credentials to deliver it.
The six-year-old has won five of his 12 jumps starts and three out of five over the big fences, including the Von Doussa (3250m) – Great Eastern Steeple (4950m) double at Oakbank over Easter.
“He’s fit and he’s well, but this is a race you need luck in,” Wheeler said.
“I had the first and second favourite (Petushki and Banner Strand) in it last year and by the time they jumped seven fences they had no riders left on them and neither of them had fallen.
“Luck plays a big part in the race.
“But given even luck I think he’ll be too good for them.”
The top New Zealand trainer has won a record nine Great Easterns and on Thursday will chase his fifth Grand Annual having won with Foxboy (1997), The Sundance Kid (1989), Frankoo Verymuch (2005) and Real Tonic (2006).
He was a part-owner of the 1993 winner Straight And True which was trained by John Glatz.
Foxboy made a clean sweep of the Von Doussa, Great Eastern, Brierly and Grand Annual in 1997.
“He (Tobouggie Nights) is a pretty good horse. He’s right up with the better ones I’ve had but he’s still a work in progress,” Wheeler said.
“He won’t be at his best until late this season or next season.
“He’s got a good attitude and he’s a good, tough horse and he’s only six.
“He’s a lovely, even jumper and he’s got a good temperament and attitude for it which plays a big part in it.”
Wheeler combined with the now-retired champion jumps jockey Brett Scott for all four of his Grand Annual victories.
Scott had his first jumps starter as a trainer at Warrnambool on Tuesday.
Tobouggie Nights had his first look at the Warrnambool course on Sunday and twice schooled well over the tricky Tozer Road double.
Kiwi jumps jockey Richard Eynon, the regular rider of Tobouggie Nights, is after his first Grand Annual success.
Wheeler was left with just one Grand Annual runner when Cape Kinaveral, runner-up to his stablemate in both the Von Doussa and the Great Eastern, pulled up sore from a trial at Cranbourne last Friday.
Tobouggie Nights was the $3.20 favourite with TAB Sportsbet on Wednesday ahead of Awakening Dream at $5.50, Vindicating at $7 and Cats Fun at $7.50.
Al Garhood, chasing a record third win in the Grand Annual having won the 5500m marathon for the past two years, is at $31.
