Often the Bridges Insurance Services Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m) acts as a prelude to the Great Northern Steeplechase three weeks’ later, but for Niall Quinn, Saturday’s event is the key target for his well-performed Country Bumpkin (NZ) (St Reims) .
A son of St Reims, Country Bumpkin has won four races over fences, with a trio coming in his favoured steeplechasing role where he more recently was an eye-catching second behind West Coast in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) at Riccarton Park earlier this month.
Quinn pressed onto the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) the following weekend where Country Bumpkin finished fifth, indicating the distance in testing conditions may have not been to suit.
“I was really happy with him in the Koral and he did well in the National, but I just don’t know whether he can quite get the trip in the heavy ground,” he said.
“He’s come through it really well. He’s come home and seems happy.
“Based on the National result, I don’t think we’ll go onto the Northern, so he’ll most likely do the Pakuranga and then back to Woodville on the last day of the (jumping) season.
“Otherwise, he might get into the Jericho Cup race at New Plymouth.”
Initially starting with Mark Brooks, the 11-year-old joined Quinn’s farm-based operation over five years ago and has been a consistent presence both on and off the track.
“I’d heard about him because he didn’t suit being in a big stable, he had a few issues and wasn’t a very good doer,” Quinn said.
“The owners wanted him to go somewhere he could be outside and working in a farm environment, so that’s how we got him.
“He always showed a lot of promise and has had about nine seconds, so he’s done well.
“He’s never changed, he’s always just had a great attitude and anyone can ride him, he’s really easy to have around.”
Prior to Saturday’s race, Quinn had planned to take last-start winner St Elmo’s Fire to Awapuni Synthetic on Friday, but the gelding will be saved for next year with jumping firmly in his future.
“He’ll go out for a holiday now and come back next year, he’s got his jumping ticket and has shown a lot of potential,” Quinn said.
St Elmo’s Fire was set to run against newer member Steve Austin in the Majestic Horsefloats 2140, with the latter coming north from owner Kenny Moore’s stable with a career over fences also in sight.
“A good friend of mine, Alan Browne, got me onto him and he’s a nice horse. I’m pretty excited for him,” Quinn said.
“I also have Haloumi and Chiavari getting ready to go as well, they are really tidy jumpers.
“They are most likely to get going next year.”
