Ima Heroine was a late-finishing second in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4900m) two weeks ago at her third start in a fresh campaign. The Northern is over 6400m. Ima Heroine has 69kg, 6kg more than she carried last year.
Ima Heroine and Tom's Myth, winner of the Pakuranga Hunt Cup give owner-trainer Ann Browne a powerful hand in the race tomorrow.
"The mare has been there and done it before so she has to be a good chance, whereas Tom's Myth is a better horse now than when he finished fifth last year," Browne said.
Steven Pateman, the accomplished Melbourne jumps jockey, is the replacement rider on Tobouggie Nights, the top weight with 70kg.
Pateman has replaced Richard Eynon, who injured his shoulder in a fall last week.
He will require surgery.
Tobouggie Nights, who ran third in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup, won the Great Eastern Steeplechase (4950m) at Oakbank in April, John Wheeler, the trainer of Tobouggie Nights, also has Sir Heelan, the oldest horse in the field at 13.
Richard Cully, who injured a knee in a fall at Te Aroha on Monday, has been cleared to ride Solid Steal.
Southern Countess is attempting to repeat her win of last year in the Great Northern Hurdles. She is up 4.5kg in the weights, sharing top weight of 69.5kg.
Southern Countess carried 68kg when she won over hurdles at Ellerslie at her last start start on August 25.
Waitoki Ahi, the runner-up that day, is in receipt of 4kg from Southern Countess tomorrow.
The last successive Northern Hurdles winner, Just Not Cricket, carried 63kg and 66kg.
Matthew Gillies, who rode Southern Countess and Ima Heroine last year, has the mounts again.
Wotabuzz, winner of the Grand National Hurdles, has won a 2100 flat race at Ellerslie.
Chris Johnson, who rode Clem to win the Northern Hurdles in 1997, has the mount on Conquistador, who ran second in a maiden hurdles at Hawera at his last start. Treasure Hunter, a maiden hurdles winner at Te Aroha on Monday, is in the field tomorrow.
