Trainers chasing maiden Great Northern Steeplechase victory

[Wandering Eyes]

The Cossack will be a leading hope to deliver Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal their first Great Northern Steeplechase. Photo: Race Images

Paul Nelson, the accomplished Hastings trainer, has an illustrious career in jumps racing, but one trophy has remained elusive on his mantlepiece – the Great Northern Steeplechase.

In partnership with Corrina McDougal since 2019, they’ve achieved remarkable success, including a Jumps Trainer’s Premiership (2021/22) and numerous prestigious jumping victories, primarily with their star, The Cossack.

This season, The Cossack and stablemate Raucous are set to contend for the Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) at Te Rapa on Sunday, marking their quest for that elusive title. Nelson expressed his long-held desire to win this race, saying, “We’ve always wanted to win one.”

However, the relocation of the iconic race to Te Rapa following the sale of the renowned Ellerslie hill has somewhat dampened its significance.

Nelson admitted, “I’m disappointed we’re doing it around Te Rapa, and I feel the Northern has lost a bit of its prestige or importance not being at Ellerslie, but it would still be great to win it.”

The Cossack has been a dominant force in jumps racing, securing the Great Northern Hurdle and Grand National Hurdle titles in his first two seasons.

This year, he has transitioned to steeplechasing and remained unbeaten in such events, except for a third-place finish in the Wellington Steeplechase behind West Coast, a key rival in the upcoming race.

Nelson questioned the weight allocation, feeling that The Cossack’s 73kg weight was not reflective of his steeplechasing prowess compared to West Coast, despite their comparable hurdling achievements.

He noted, “I don’t think he (The Cossack) should have the same weight as West Coast, he’s probably a kilo-and-a-half more than he should be.”

West Coast, despite his absence from The Cossack’s recent victory in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup, will have Aaron Kuru as the jockey on Sunday.

Raucous, another stable star, has had a commendable season, notching two steeplechase wins and two placings. Nelson expressed his surprise at Raucous’s improved consistency this year, saying, “Raucous has done everything and more than he’s been asked to do… he’s gotten so consistent and hardly been out of the money all season.”

Stable jockey Jack Power, who recovered from a recent injury, will partner with Raucous.

In addition to the Great Northern Steeplechase, the Nelson/McDougal stable has equal favorites in the Great Northern Hurdle with Taika and Nedwin. These talented horses finished second and third in the Open Hurdle at Te Rapa, with Nelson hoping for rain to favor Nedwin’s performance.

The Hastings stable will also feature Galileo Invader in the Holah Homes Hurdle, marking an exciting day of jumps racing at Te Rapa. Nelson anticipates that Galileo Invader will benefit from the conventional hurdles at Te Rapa, stating, “I think he’ll like them more.”

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