Leaderboard has been a force to be reckoned with since his transition to jumps racing, and this week he will be seeking his crowning glory at the Warrnambool May Carnival.
The 10-year-old son of Street Cry will have two bites at the cherry, firstly in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) on Tuesday before backing up two days later in the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m).
Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna, Leaderboard performed with distinction on the flat, winning seven races, including the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Listed NZ St Leger (2600m).
He had the one unplaced hurdle run in New Zealand before heading to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn where he has been a standout for trainer Mark Walker.
He hasn’t finished out of the money in his nine jumping starts across the Tasman, posting four wins and five placings, including placing in the Thackery Steeplechase (3450m), Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) last winter.
He heads to Warrnambool in good form, having won his last two races, and Walker is confident of a bold showing in his opening contest of the week.
“We are really happy with him, and I think he gets into it nicely at the weights (67.5kg) for what he has done,” Walker said.
“He has been around the course, so he knows his way around, it is quite a unique course. I think he should acquit himself very well.”
He will be joined in the Brierly by stablemate The Mighty Spar, who has placed in his last three starts, including a 3450m steeplechase at Warrnambool last month.
“The distance suits him and he has had a look around the course. He gets in off the minimum (65kg), which is good,” Walker said.
“It is a competitive field, there’s seven that could win it really.”
Earlier on the card, the stable will be represented by Dreamflight in the opening race of the carnival, the Maiden Hurdle (3200m).
The six-year-old son of Frankel will also carry the silks of Fortuna and will be having his first raceday outing over hurdles following a couple of hurdle trials.
“He has had two hurdle trials and whatever he does tomorrow he will improve with the experience,” Walker said. “It is good to have Will Gordon in the saddle.”
On Wednesday, Walker will be represented by just the one runner, with Prismatic set to contest the Victory Dunroe BM120 Steeplechase (3450m).
“The question mark is that he is top weight, but he has had a look around the course in a trial and I think he will acquit himself well,” Walker said.
Walker is looking forward to heading to Warrnambool this week, a highly anticipated event on the Victoria racing calendar. “There is a big vibe about it over here that’s for sure,” he said.