26/05/2026
Te Rapa — 24th May 2026
The northern jumping calendar got underway on a gorgeous day at the Te Rapa racecourse, and it certainly got some tongues wagging with two standout performances: one from the very promising hurdler SQUIRE, and the other from an absolute CHAMPION.
A small field assembled for the maiden hurdles, but the event itself produced some strong early‑season performances. Several runners won’t be hard to place in the coming weeks. For many punters, DOCTOR IRIS appeared to be over the odds when he opened at 8/1, and as the race unfolded he gave little cause for concern to those who took the TAB on at the price.
Kylan WILES controlled the race from the outset, allowing DOCTOR IRIS to cruise along at a reasonably sedate tempo while the rest of the field was content to race in single file. Moves from the back began down the back straight, with TUTIN CANS first to pop out into the breeze, allowing ISLAND HOP to slot onto his back in the one‑one. As they rounded the final bend the field packed up, and for a moment it looked like a real battle to the line. But while others were making sustained runs, DOCTOR IRIS dropped it down a cog, slipped away before the turn, and established the break that proved decisive.
Favourite and Myers debutant ISLAND HOP produced a strong run for second and looks one for the black book. After biding his time near the back, he finished off powerfully. Old RENEGADE FIGHTER battled on resolutely for third and will no doubt appreciate the bigger fences to come. TUTIN CANS looked a huge chance until his balloon popped halfway down the straight; he too will take great benefit from the run.
The Open Hurdle on Sunday looked strong on paper, with promising young and seasoned hurdlers on display. At the top of the card was the hardy campaigner LORD SPENCER, followed by last season’s hurdling find SQUIRE, both bringing strong flat form. Among the supporting cast were the previously unbeaten PACHERO and ROC UP RALPH, another up‑and‑comer in UTRED, and of course the wiry INVINCIBLE SPIRIT, MONT VENTOUX, and LETRIM LAD. Collectively, they produced a fantastic contest.
UTRED led out with PACHERO on his flank; ROC UP RALPH slid into the trail with INVINCIBLE SPIRIT on his outside, posting Jordan HART and SQUIRE three‑wide. Loping in behind were the remaining three, all within striking distance.
Down the back straight one could have thrown a handkerchief over the field. Approaching the final turn, seven of the eight runners were still within a couple of lengths. Once balanced, the big guns flexed their muscles. SQUIRE, despite a wide run, out‑jumped his two previously unbeaten rivals and fought off ROC UP RALPH to the post, justifying the cheers of his supporters.
It was a brave run by SQUIRE and bodes well heading into the major races on the horizon. Few connections would be disappointed with the efforts behind him. Both ROC UP RALPH and PACHERO were strong and will improve sharply from their first‑up runs. LORD SPENCER looks more engaged this season and will again be a real force, particularly if he steps up to the bigger fences (JJ – I’m available for National duties 😊).
While not all the big guns were out in the chase on Sunday, there were still some very handy opponents for topweight and former Jumper of the Year WEST COAST to contend with, including JUSTICE, the unpredictable SMUG, JAKAMA KRYSTAL, and WHISKEY TANGO, a horse who looked the real deal back in 2023.
After a somewhat disappointing 2025 by his own standards, all eyes were on WEST COAST. Could he rebound? How would he go with new pilot Joshua PARKER? Those watching the pre‑race parade would have gained confidence that the impossible was possible. WEST COAST strutted with a spring in his step, presenting like Muhammad Ali before the Thrilla in Manila, he simply oozed confidence. As it turned out, he needed every bit of it.
There’s little I can add about the race itself, more articulate writers have already covered it, but what a feeling it was to be on course when a race like Sunday’s chase unites a crowd willing their champion home. Kudos to Mark OULAGHAN, long recognised as a master trainer; it was an outstanding effort to get the horse back to this level.
And for the record, WHISKEY TANGO didn’t deserve to lose. He produced a sensational effort and on almost any other day it would have been a winning run. He jumped superbly and looked back to his 2023 form before his Australian venture in 2024–25. On that run he wins at short notice - it’s just that on Sunday, when David ran into Goliath, the slingshot and stones didn’t work.
Jumps racing now moves to Te Aroha on Monday with the maidens taking centre stage. Hopefully the recent growth in horses attending jumping days, trials, and point‑to‑points will be reflected in field sizes as we continue to drive forward.
