Nelson-McDougal stars facing off
Now an 11-year-old, The Cossack has won 15 jumping races, including a pair of Great Northern Hurdles (4200m), a Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and last year's Wellington Steeplechase (5500m).
After his success at Trentham, the son of Mastercraftsman was ruled out of the Grand NationalSteeplechase (5500m) and the remainder of last season through injury, but after two starts on the flat this term, he is chasing a threepeat in the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m).
"This was a suitable race to start with him. He would have had weight to carry at Trentham last week as well," Nelson said.
"His last run on the flat was very good.''
The Cossack will carry a clear topweight of 73kg in the race, which will give his trainers a clearer view on what's to come this season.
"Who knows? He's a year older, but he's earned the weight and he's got to carry it," Nelson said.
"It's very much a wait and see this year, but we'll know more after Saturday."
A potential danger to the star will be his own stablemate, Nedwin, a Great Northern Hurdle winner in his own right, who made a winning debut over the bigger fences at Te Rapa last month.
"He was really good. He couldn't have gone much better than that," Nelson said.
Nelson and McDougal will also line up two of the major players in the Fairview Homes Waikato Hurdle (3200m) in Taika and Dictation.
A placegetter in last year's Awapuni Hurdle (3100m), Hawke's Bay Hurdle (3100m), Wellington Hurdles (3200m) and Great Northern Hurdle, Taika defeated Dictation and several other race rivals at Te Rapa last month.
"He [Taika] was very good because he was probably still a bit burly, but he was able to do the job," Nelson said.
"Dictation was a bit on the bigger side going into that race as well and I'm hoping he's improved with the run. The rider and co-trainer [McDougal] tells me he has.
"I think they could be quite evenly matched going forward." — LOVERACING.NZ New Desk
By Jess de Lautour
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