AWAPUNI TESTS FOR CONNORS TEAM

[Chief Stipe]

Talented jumper Max.
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Wanganui conditioner Raymond Connors will take a five-strong team to Awapuni on Thursday and the future paths for a number of his runners will be dictated by their performance at the Palmerston North track.

Talented jumper Max will contest the LJ Hooker Hurdle (2750m) in preparation for a likely tilt at the Civil & Landfill Construction LTD Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4900m) at Ellerslie next month.

The nine-year-old son of Gallant Guru has been in fine form of late, winning the McGregor Grant Steeplechase (4150m) at Ellerslie last month, followed by a pleasing runner-up performance behind Gallante in the Awapuni Hurdles (2900m).

“I was really pleased with him,” Connors said. “It wasn’t planned to go to the hurdles last time, but we decided to when there weren’t many in the field. 

“He is probably more of a steeplechaser really, it’s (the hurdles) just keeping him fit.”

Connors is confident with his charge heading into Thursday and believes he should be able to account for his four other competitors in the small field.

“It’s not a big field, so he is definitely a good chance,” he said. “He’s definitely fit enough and should run well.”

One of his competitors on Thursday will be stablemate Mesmerize, who is being tested ahead of a potential trip south to Riccarton next weekend.

Mesmerize was victorious in a maiden hurdle at Awapuni last month, but disappointed when tailing the field home in open grade at Te Aroha earlier this month and Connors believes his future could be over the bigger fences.

“He goes well at Palmerston North, he won there last time,” Connors said. 

“He was a little bit disappointing last start going up to open grade, whether he’s not up to them, he’s more of a steeplechaser I think.

“We hope to take him down south for a maiden chase next Saturday.”

Awapuni will also be a testing ground for reigning New Zealand Champion Jumper Wise Men Say.

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