Henry Dwyer assesses the best run of his fencer Riding High’s (NZ) (Raise The Flag) career was two years ago when he won the Australian Steeplechase by seven lengths.
Riding High hasn’t returned to the course and distance since then, until now anyway, as he will run in the Australian Steeplechase on Sunday at Ladbrokes Park Sandown Lakeside.
“The Sandown 3900m is his absolute wheelhouse. He loves being on top of the ground which he should have on Sunday, he’s a nice, big horse who has won the race previously and he could do the same again,” Dwyer said.
Last year, Dwyer set him for the race, but he had to put him away as he damaged a tendon when he won the J.E.H. Spencer Memorial Steeplechase at Pakenham in April.
Riding High had four flat runs this year before he returned to jumping when he finished fourth behind last year’s Australian Steeplechase winner Britannicus (Roman Emperor) in the Brierly Steeplechase in early May. Britannicus will defend his crown on Sunday.
“The steeplechase course through the paddocks was very heavy and he just didn’t get into a rhythm going through it. I know the course proper wasn’t a genuine Heavy, but he never felt comfortable in it and he never got into a good spot,” Dwyer said.
“This is the race he has the best chance of winning each year so you could call it his grand final. I think he will run well on Sunday.”
A winner of three of his seven starts over the fences, Riding High will be ridden by Willie McCarthy, who has partnered him four times for two wins and a second placing.
Riding High is a $10 chance with Sportsbet, with Amy McDonald’s Flying Agent (NZ) (Raise The Flag) a $3.10 favourite ahead of Britannicus at $3.40.
