3 minute read

Jackfrost in Ballarat

Jackfrost in Ballarat

Exciting Wingatui jumper Jackfrost has arrived safely in Victoria to begin an assault on some of the major events.

With the full backing of the large group of owners, trainers Brian and Shane Anderton have opted to give Jackfrost his opportunity to measure up in Melbourne with the eight-year-old having proved himself at top level in New Zealand when winning the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) and the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) last winter.

"He got to Ballarat on Saturday," Brian Anderton said. "Courtney Barnes has gone over to look after him and Shane will go over a bit later on. The horse has to school first over there and he'll do that on July 4.

"We will confirm his programme after that but we are now giving some thought to maybe going for both Grand Nationals over there. But we'll just see how he handles the fences in his schooling first."

Top jumps jockey Steve Pateman has expressed interest in riding Jackfrost, who has been readied for his Melbourne campaign with three flat runs and a last-start second over hurdles at Wingatui when narrowly beaten after recovering from both a first fence scare and a mistake at the last fence.