The husband-and-wife training partnership of Peter and Jessica Brosnan will be well represented at the Te Aroha meeting on Monday with one runner in each of the four jumps races on offer.
The Matamata-based family operation has been to the fore through the deeds of Auld Jock (Adelaide), who will be seeking his third jumping success in a row when he tackles the race the pair sponsor, the P&J Brosnan Training 0-1 Win Hurdle (3100m) which is race three on the ten-race programme.
“We’re hopeful of a good showing from all of our horses as they have been performing well of late,” Peter Brosnan said.
“Auld Jock has mixed hurdling and steeplechasing this time in and has won both of his races, so we are keen to see him take another step in his progression in a field with some pretty handy types in it.
“He did the groundwork last year and looks pretty exciting.
“There are a lot of opportunities coming up and I guess our only worry is backing him up three weeks in a row, however the race is virtually on our back doorstep, and he is a very happy horse at the moment.
“This race is a good test for him and if he comes through it okay then we might look to the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) a little later on, which is a race we have had in mind for him for a wee while.”
Civil Unrest (NZ) (Civics) will kick off the day as he tackles a maiden hurdle event over 3100m, followed by last start placegetter Rocem (NZ) (El Roca) who will take on a similar event a race later.
“Civil Unrest was sent to us to be a jumper and has had a trial in that role, but it will be a test for him first up in quite a good field,” Brosnan said.
“As long as he can go a nice race then everyone will be happy.
“Rocem is an interesting character who can run hot and cold, so our challenge is going to be keeping her on an even keel during the season.
“She has the ability but makes a few mistakes, although if she can put it all together during this campaign, I think she will be a very nice horse next year.”
Rugged hurdler Ima Wonder (NZ) (Eighth Wonder) rounds out the quartet for the Brosnans as she tackles her first steeplechase event after enjoying success over the smaller hurdles including a third-place finish in last season’s Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) at Te Rapa.
Raced by jumping legend Ann Browne and the estate of her late husband Ken, the eight-year-old mare is a daughter of former Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) winner Ima Heroine.
“This will be the first go at chasing for Ima Wonder and we have Portia Matthews riding her, who is in really good form at present,” Brosnan said.
“She has done some schooling and has had a 1400m trial and I think her fitness is coming along nicely.
“We are very hopeful for a good season as she is making nice progress and up against the maiden chasers, we think she can go a cheeky race.”
