Champion Jumper Aiming for Jericho Cup

Media Release - Monday September 13

Champion jumper The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) made his mark in a different role at New Plymouth on Saturday with a hard-fought victory in the $30,000 NZB Airfreight Road to Jericho (3210m). 

The eight-year-old is best known for his remarkable feats over hurdles, where he has scored superb victories in the Great Northern Hurdle (4190m), Waikato Hurdle (3200m), Wellington Hurdle (3100m) and Grand National Hurdle (4200m) within the last 12 months.

The Cossack (NZ) has qualified for the A$300,000 Jericho Cup (4600m) a

But on Saturday he was equally adept on the flat, surging into contention around the home turn before withstanding the late challenge of Brucie (NZ) (Raise the Flag) to prevail by a nose.

Trained at Hastings by Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal, The Cossack has now had 41 starts for nine wins, eight placings and $247,745 in stakes. Three of his victories have come on the flat.

Saturday’s race was the first of two Jericho Cup qualifying heats staged in New Zealand, with the second heat to be held at Riccarton Park on 24 October. The winner of each race receives a guaranteed start in the A$300,000 Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool on 29 November.

As sponsors, NZB Airfreight offers a $5,000 equine airfreight credit for the winner of each qualifying race, should they decide to travel across the Tasman and contest the Jericho Cup.

The Cossack’s performance on Saturday delivered the latest in a long line of big thrills for Nelson, who also shares in the ownership of the remarkable galloper. However, qualification for the Jericho Cup has created a touch of uncertainty about what might be in store for The Cossack through the rest of this year.

Advertisement

“It was a great effort to win on Saturday, but it has placed us in a little bit of a quandary,” Nelson told NZ Racing Desk. “The horse has had a very big season, and we had originally planned to have the run on Saturday and then go straight to the Great Northern at Ellerslie.

“Now he has guaranteed himself a start at Warrnambool, we are going to have to sit down and make a decision about what we do. I don’t believe he can do both.

“He has really developed into a good horse, and it’s something special to win the races he has over the last year.

“I am a little bit wary of going to the well once too often with him. Although he looks a picture, you just never know when he might bottom out from the tough racing he has had.

“I guess the good thing is that we have a little bit of time to make the decision on what we are going to do, and we will be doing what is best for the horse.”

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aussie Bred Sprinter to Run in G1 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint This Weekend
Australian spring racing might appear to be the centre of the universe in our neck of the woods, but in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend it is all about the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar in California and an Aussie bred sprinter could be poised to spring an upset.
Kiwi Bred Evaporate on Track for Golden Eagle
New Zealand-bred gelding Evaporate will be seeking to pick up the biggest cheque of his career when he heads to Randwick on Saturday to contest the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m).
$10 million 2025 Golden Eagle Field and Barrier Draw
The favourites have all fared well after the field and barrier draw was declared for the $10million Golden Eagle at Randwick this Saturday.
Day 1 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale 375,000 Guineas for August George
Smart two-year-old AUGUST GEORGE topped the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at Park Paddocks when selling for 375,000 guineas to Qatari trainer Gassim Ghazali, one of five lots to realise 200,000 guineas or more.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 29
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Long Legs Strides Clear At Rosehill
Coming out on top in Wednesday’s $100,000 ATC Tab Plate (1400m) at Rosehill, the Gary Portelli trained 3yo Russian Revolution filly Long Legs broke her maiden in the style of a filly destined for bigger and better races.
Waller Seeking Another Melbourne Cup
He may already have a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) win to his name but New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller says he still yearns to win the Flemington showpiece as much as anyone.
Mare in Foal to Home Affairs Tops MM Digital at $350,000
Impeccably related mare Taste of Heaven topped the first Magic Millions Digital Sale conducted today.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 28
Here is the full list of 24 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Waterhouse Bott Stable Secure Fresh Blood at Tattersalls Horses in Training
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott may well have won a Cox Plate and a Melbourne Cup this spring had their imported stayer Sir Delius (GB) not been ruled out following vetting scans, but the disappointment of that experience has in no way dampened their enthusiasm for the European product.