Te Rapa test for fast-improving hurdler

[Wandering Eyes]

Harvey Wilson always kept a close eye on Jerricoop (NZ) (Zed) at Waverley and his vision for the gelding has come to life this year as he prepares to step up in grade in Saturday’s OTL Group LTD Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa.

Previously trained by local horsewoman Erin Hocquard, Jerricoop collected two victories over staying trips and performed on rain-affected ground, the perfect formula for a jumper. After showing interest in the seven-year-old, Wilson welcomed him into his stable just under a year ago.

“Erin trains in Waverley and is often next to us at the track, so we see a lot of her,” Wilson said. “We used to say that we’d love to get this horse as a jumper, and now we have.

“He hadn’t done any jumping at all when we got him and he took a little bit of teaching, but once he cottoned on, he’s been good.”

Despite the relatively short turnaround, Jerricoop has performed like a seasoned professional in his two jumping starts to date, placing on debut behind Yolo before scoring a comprehensive maiden victory at Te Aroha a fortnight ago.

This weekend, the son of Zed will return to the north among a select field of eight hurdlers, with his performance likely to dictate where Wilson looks next this season.

“We were very happy with his win the other day, he was very well-ridden,” Wilson said. “Since then he’s been working around the farm and we galloped at the track yesterday, just his usual routine.

“We’ll see where he takes us, he’s gone up a grade now and there are some good horses in there on Saturday, but it’s not the very top grade, so we’ll be able to see where we fit in.”

Jerricoop will continue his association with English hoop Joshua Parker, who is coming off a string of feature hurdle victories with Billy Boy, including last Saturday’s Wellington Hurdle (3200m).

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