In the world of New Zealand horse racing, Hastings trainer Paul Nelson has a decorated career, but one prestigious trophy has remained elusive on his mantlepiece – the Great Northern Steeplechase.
Nelson, who joined forces with long-time stable member Corrina McDougal in 2019, has already achieved significant success, including a Jumps Trainer's Premiership for the 2021/22 season and numerous victories with their star, The Cossack.
Now, the duo aims to secure that elusive Great Northern Steeplechase crown at Te Rapa on Sunday, with The Cossack and stablemate Raucous set to contest the grueling 6500-meter race.
“We've always wanted to win one,” Nelson expressed his ambition.
While the relocation of the race from Ellerslie to Te Rapa may have diminished its historical significance in Nelson's eyes, the desire to win remains undiminished.
He said, “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, a formidable force in the jumping circuit, boasts an impressive record. He claimed the Great Northern Hurdle (4190m) in his first two seasons and also added a Grand National Hurdle (4200m) victory to his list of achievements.
This year, he has transitioned to steeplechase events and has been unbeaten except for a luckless third-place finish in the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) behind key rival West Coast, who aims to add a Great Northern title to his dual Grand National Steeplechases.
Nelson, however, expressed concern about the allocated weight for both The Cossack and West Coast, feeling that it may not be in line with their steeplechasing abilities.
“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,” he remarked.
“He's won two prestige steeplechases and was second in the Australian Grand National, whereas West Coast has won four prestige races including two Grand Nationals. I think we've been handicapped on his hurdling performances as well.”
The Cossack, guided by visiting Victorian-based jockey Aaron Kuru, triumphed in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m) despite a minor injury from banging a fence.
Raucous, another stable standout, has enjoyed a strong season with two steeplechase victories and two placings, including a third-place finish in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup.
Nelson noted Raucous's remarkable improvement this season, 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 recently recovered from a hand injury sustained in a fall at Hawera, will be back to partner with Raucous.
In addition to the Great Northern Steeplechase, the Nelson/McDougal stable boasts equal favorites in the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) with Taika and Nedwin.
While both horses performed well in their lead-up race, Nelson believes that Nedwin would perform better on a wet track, whereas Taika excels on such surfaces.
Lastly, the Hastings stable will also be represented by six-year-old Galileo Invader in the Holah Homes Hurdle (2800m), with Nelson looking forward to seeing him perform over the more conventional hurdles at Te Rapa.