Graeme Rogerson is prepared to assist John Wheeler in campaigning a team of horses for the jumping season in England.
The two trainers provided the quinella in the Wellington Steeplechase at Trentham on Saturday with Rogerson victorious when Mr Align beat the Wheeler-trained Mali Juraj.
But while they were rivals on Saturday, Rogerson revealed he would be happy to share in Wheeler’s long held ambition to participate in the English jumping scene.
Wheeler has said to make the trip worthwhile he would need a string of worthy candidates, rather than just one or two.
Rogerson said he had only discussed the situation with Wheeler last week and offered Mr Align as a possible candidate.
“He’s one I have certainly got earmarked for England,” Rogerson told NZPA.
“I think he would suit England, he can stay a bit. If Johnny ever goes I’ll definitely have a horse with him. Whether it’s next year or not I don’t know. My mate (Wheeler) will let me know.”
Rogerson and Wheeler would seem to be ideal partners. Both are usually well armed when the focus switches from flat to jumps racing in the winter, both are seasoned travellers of horses and neither holds back on a challenge – whether domestic or international.
An example of that for Rogerson transpired after the Wellington Steeplechase. Before the race he had been looking at the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) in Auckland on September 3 as the next main target for Mr Align.
Now he is considering adding in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) in Christchurch on August 13 as well as the traditional lead-up race, the Koral Steeplechase the week before.
“I’m having a re-think,” Rogerson said, adding that his initial thoughts were that such an assignment might not be beyond the six-year-old.
“We’ll make a decision later in the week but I think he’s a pretty good horse. I don’t think there are any around that are much better.”
Mr Align has really stamped his mark as a top steeplechaser, winning four of his five races over fences this year.
Rogerson owns a half-share of Mr Align and races him in a syndicate that includes Sydney racing administrator Max Whitby who is the owner of the Rogerson-trained Queensland Oaks winner Scarlett Lady.
NZPA WGT
