JJ Rayner has often been the bridesmaid on her ventures to Riccarton Park for National week and hopes consistent jumper Lord Spencer can break her runner-up streak this Saturday.
The Wanganui trainer has thoroughly enjoyed her trips to Christchurch and their stable have been amongst the spoils at the Grand National carnival, but a major victory has eluded them.
“The carnival has been great to us, we haven’t quite managed to pull one of the big one’s off,” Rayner said.
“When I was in partnership with my father Evan, I think we had about three or four seconds in the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m), and three seconds in the Grand National.
“I thought last week – ‘yay, we’re going to pick up a win’ – but we always have great times down here, it’s really neat and the atmosphere here for the week is just awesome.”
Rayner’s former jumper Mr Mor was twice runner-up in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) in 2015 and 2016.
Lord Spencer has proven to be another promising jumper in Rayner’s stable this season and has been a model of consistency in the maiden hurdle ranks, producing two third placings and two seconds from four starts.
The son of Zed was runner-up to Afterallthistime last Saturday in the maiden hurdle event and will back-up this weekend in similar company in the Summit Speights Ultra on Tap 0-1 WIN Hurdle (3100m).
“He’s really good, he’s eaten up and he’s bright and happy, I couldn’t be happier with him,” Rayner said.
“He’s only new to the game, he’s only had four starts and been knocking on the door, there’s just seemed to be one better one each time.”
Following Saturday’s race, Rayner plans to give Lord Spencer a week-long break to recover from his journey south, before returning for the tail end of the jumping season.
“He’s only just turned six, he’s only a pup when it comes to jumping so we’ll just nurse him along and see what happens,” she said.
“We’ll see how we go, but probably onto bigger things next season.”
