Waikato Steeples winner back on target for winter jumping features Wed, 27 Jun 2012

Prestige jumping race winner Myths And Legends has bounced back well after an out of character performance when unplaced last time out in the McGregor Grant Steeplechase.

The rising 10-year-old broke through at the top level last month when he was victorious in the Vernon and Vazey Truck Parts Waikato Steeplechase, but failed to reproduce that form over the Ellerslie hill.

“He’s had a bit of a virus and had a couple of days off,” said Cambridge trainer Mark Brooks, who races the son of Rainbow Myth with his parents Roger and Heather.

“He’s over it now and is fine and the first week after Te Rapa he pulled up really well and then the second week he seemed just a bit off. After Ellerslie though, he was really flat.”

The setback has forced a change of plans and Myths And Legends will now bypass the Wellington Steeplechase, a race he ran fourth in 12 months ago behind Mr Align.

“We were originally going to Trentham, but we’ve run out of time for that so we’ll save him for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup and then the Great Northern,” Brooks said. The hardy gelding beat all bar Ima Heroine in the 2011 Northern.

While Myths And Legends is in the veteran class, a novice stablemate is making encouraging progress toward a jumping career. The well-bred Maciano pleased Brooks with his effort at this week’s Cambridge jumping trials.

“He trialled up quite well and was only there to have a look around,” he said. “We’re hoping a change of scenery will perk him up and he’ll have another hurdle trial in a couple of weeks and probably a couple of flat runs before his first hurdle start.”

The son of Redoute’s Choice and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby winner Popsy topped the Premier Sale at Karaka in 2008 when he was knocked down to John Sargent for $1.45 million. He showed early promise with a win at his second start, but has subsequently added only one more victory from a further 15 appearances.