The Energizer could not have been more impressive when winning his last outing before the Grand National Hurdles yesterday.
The Kelvin Tyler-trained hurdler showed speed to reel in the leaders and win yesterday’s open hurdle over 3000m at Timaru.
The race will be the last time The Energizer will start before next month’s $75,000 Grand National Hurdles as Tyler is opting to dodge the traditional lead-up event, the Sydenham Hurdles.
‘‘He will go straight to the national, no Sydenham, it will take the edge off him,’’ he said.
The Energizer loomed up quickly from back in the field, going straight past favourite Jackfrost.
Jackfrost fought hard in the home straight and kept The Energizer to a winning margin of less than a length.
Tai Ho kept up his brilliant steeplechasing form this season with a comfortable win in yesterday’s open steeplechase.
Rider Stuart Higgins gave the Ellis Winsloe-trained jumper a quiet and trouble-free run in behind the pace before asking the horse for more effort before the home turn.
Tai Ho looked set for a duel with Irish Dude until the leader dropped his rider at the final fence.
Tai Ho then cruised to victory ahead of Delacroix and Gold Leaf.
It was a case of better late than never for rider Samantha Collett at Timaru yesterday.
Flight delays meant she just arrived in time for her first mount in race 3.
Rushing to get to the course did not put the premiership-leading jockey off her game, however. Collett scored a winning double with Miss Brahmos in race 5 and Moyrabella in race 6.
• Additional information for meetings today.—
Whangarei RC
Riders
Race 2: Leaving Town — S McKay.
Race 5: Aim Smart — Chris Johnson.
Scratchings
Race 2: Noodles.Race 5: Two Thirty.
Weather, cloudy; track, dead5; rail, out 4m.
Wellington RC
Weather, fine; track, heavy11; rail, true.#e Energiser on target for National
