Turakina trainer Kevin Myers has received only positive news from Christchurch as he pushes for a fifth win in Wednesday’s Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Riccarton.
Myers could have as many as six runners in the jumping feature after He’s Ric (NZ) (Zed) credited the trainer with his seventh win in Saturday’s Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) at Riccarton with a bold front-running display in the main lead-up event.
Myers has also accepted with Hey Happy (Rip Van Winkle), Interllectus (Intello) and Mizzena (NZ) (Zed) – second, third and fifth in the Sydenham – as well as Saturday’s impressive Rating 75 winner Happy Star (NZ) (Fabulous) and Kiddo (NZ) (Istidaad).
While Myers hasn’t yet made an appearance in Christchurch, his horses have been in good hands with his daughter Caley and son Luke among those tasked with putting the finishing polish in the Grand National contenders.
“They all ran well in the Sydenham and that’s all we can ask for. They have all pulled up well too,” Caley Myers said.
The Myers horses dominate Grand National Hurdle betting with Happy Star and Interllectus sharing $3.80 favouritism ahead of He’s Ric at $4.20, Hey Happy at $4.80 and Mizzena at $8. Kiddo shares the next line of betting with the Mark Oulaghan-trained Dal Kilchoan (NZ) (Indy King) at $16.
Happy Star will have just his second hurdle start on Wednesday, having won his maiden hurdle by eight lengths at Trentham last month.
Caley Myers was delighted with Happy Star’s win on Saturday, one of four for the stable on the day.
“He’s come through that really well. It’s probably a big ask for him on Wednesday but he’ll go around and try his hardest and that’s all we can ask,” she said.
“He’s got that jumping prowess but also that flat ability so hopefully that works in his favour.”
Prompted for a tip, Myers said there wasn’t much between the stable runners though she was leaning towards Interllectus and Happy Star to fly the stable’s familiar emerald green silks best.
The Myers stable, which could also run Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) placegetter Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed) in the Janet Francis 2200 earlier in the day, has 10 runners entered for the final day of the Grand National carnival, with Carnaby (NZ) (Danroad) one of just five nominations for the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m).
Caley Myers conceded it was disappointing the jumps features had failed to attract more runners but said the stable would continue to support the meeting.
“We like coming down here to support the carnival. It’s a shame there’s not as many as they’d like.”
