Racing: Back to hurdling

Just A Swagger, last-start winner of the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase on August 9, will revert to hurdling at Foxton today.

Just A Swagger will be ridden by Mathew Gillies, who can claim 3kg.

The claim will give the 11yr-old gelding respite from top weight of 70.5kg.

Just A Swagger won the Grand National Hurdles in 2004 and 2005.

Arreviderci, who ran third to Just Not Cricket and Wolf Pack in the National Hurdles, is among the rivals for Just A Swagger.

Arreviderci is also an acceptor for the rating 90 2200m today.

Jamie Richards has been granted an amateur licence and he will have his first ride at Oamaru tomorrow.

Richards (19) is a son of Wingatui trainer and former jockey Paul Richards.

Jamie has the mount on Never Plead Guilty, trained by his father, in the highweight.

Never Plead Guilty has not raced since finishing a close second to Hot Deputy over 1800m on the first day of the Grand National meeting on August 6.

Jamie, who is studying accounting and marketing at Otago University, rides track work at Wingatui.

• Nikki Timpany is another addition to the amateur riders.

She has the mount on Icey Rain for her employer, Washdyke trainer Michael Daly.

The stable has Our Holly Day having her first start over hurdles tomorrow.

Our Holly Day was a maiden winner over 2200m at Oamaru last month.

"She has been jumping for 12 months and is one of the best jumpers I have ridden," Daly said.

Paul Boylan as the mount.

Deacon Brodie has been scratched from the open hurdles tomorrow.

 

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