Shane Hapeta, the Karaka trainer, rated the win of Jafa Jack in the Hororata Cup on Saturday a bonus on the way to the Riverton Cup.
"It was a bonus winning on Saturday on a dead track. He is that much better with a bit more moisture and that is why we are heading to Riverton," Hapeta said.
Jafa Jack, who flew to Christchurch on Thursday, is in the care of Julie Hapeta, wife of the trainer. She rides Jafa Jack in work.
Derek Nolan, who rode Jafa Jack on Saturday, has retained the mount at Riverton on Saturday week.
Jafa Jack won over 1800m on a slow track at Riccarton in August.
Another South Island jumps campaign could be on the cards for Borrack who resumed with a win over 1600m at Tauherenikau yesterday. Borrack, trained at Hunterville by Adrian Bull, began a jumping career in the South Island last winter and won successive hurdle races at Wingatui, Oamaru, Washdyke and Riccarton (Sydenham Hurdles). He then ran sixth in the Grand National Hurdles.
The Great Western Hurdles and Steeplechase at Riverton on May 13 each carry a stake of $30,000 with $12,000 lead-up races there 10 days earlier.
• Bel Sprinter will have his final right-handed gallop at Mornington today for the Challenge Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday, AAP reports.
Trainer Jason Warren is happy with with the 4yr-old who was scratched from the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 10 due to a superficial wound to his right hock.
