Brer Off to (Ellerslie) School

The Informant's Dennis Ryan reports ...

Saturday's Waikato Steeplechase runner-up Brer is among the horses set to take advantage of a steeplechase schooling opportunity over the Ellerslie hill.

As a prelude to Queen's Birthday Monday, the Auckland Racing Club is opening the steeplechase course up for horses participating in either the McGregor Grant Steeplechase or the maiden steeplechase on 6 June.

Brer, who was still challenging eventual winner Sea King at the final jump in the Waikato Steeplechase, has never raced over the Ellerslie steeplechase course and connections are keen to give him a sighter (main picture Brer on the left just heading Sea King).

“The schooling session will be a good chance to give him a look at the hill and the Ellerslie fences,” said co-trainer Stephen Autridge. “That was a very encouraging run on Saturday, it showed he's up to the good steeplechasers.

“He took a lot of improvement out of his run on the first day at Te Rapa and after his latest run he's hard fit for what's coming up.”

The Ellerslie jumping school will take place next Tuesday 31 May from 7.30am.