A couple of New Zealand’s feature two-mile contests are in the offing for Palmerston North stayer Crouch this season, but track conditions will play a key part in those plans.

Veteran hurdler Suliman turned back the clock to his former glory days when he proved toughest in a four-horse war at the finish of the Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) at Riccarton.

Mark Oulaghan is hoping the extreme distance of Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) will play into the hands of West Coast, as his champion jumper attempts to rewrite the history books at Riccarton Park.

Time has been a friend to a once-erratic Bradman, who will have just celebrated his eighth birthday when he tackles Saturday’s Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 128th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park.

Te Akau Racing have continued their dominant run, securing their 12th New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership this season with a tally of 131 wins, 27 clear of nearest rival Stephen Marsh.

Mark Oulaghan has called on one of Australia’s leading jumps jockeys to partner West Coast, as the outstanding jumper heads south in pursuit of a historic fourth-consecutive Grand National crown.

The short-priced favourite for the upcoming Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m), Jesko, will step out on the flat at Waverley on Friday as he readies for his biggest test yet in a fortnight.

Talented filly Intention made an impressive winning return to the Foxton trials on Tuesday, ticking the first box in a journey towards top three-year-old honours.

Tough stayer Wolfgang showed enough during a brief Melbourne campaign last spring to warrant a return visit.

Foxton trainer Suzy Gordon has enjoyed a good run of success in the tried horse market and has welcomed another well-performed newcomer to her stable.

Roydon Bergerson will see a number of Central Districts racecourses over the coming week, with the busy period kicking off at Hawera’s rescheduled meeting on Tuesday.

Roydon Bergerson will see a number of Central Districts racecourses over the coming week, with the busy period kicking off at Hawera’s rescheduled meeting on Tuesday.

The Frac Club’s partnership with trainers Shaun and Hazel Fannin is off to a stellar start through rising steeplechase star Jesko, and up-and-comer Fourty Eight will attempt to add to that run in Sunday’s Cody Singer Memorial (4000m) at Woodville.

An exciting match-up between champion jumper West Coast and rising star Jesko is imminent, but the former’s trainer Mark Oulaghan is sticking with the old firm for the time being, with Shaun Fannin in the saddle in Sunday’s Glenanthony Simmentals Stud Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) at Woodville.