Tough start for Kiwi jumper

Back In Black will have to put a less than satisfactory build-up behind him when he returns to action in Australia on Wednesday.

The versatile Te Aroha nine-year-old will open his third Victorian campaign in the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool.

Trainer and part-owner John Steffert was under the impression that Back In Black, the winner of four of his seven hurdle starts in New Zealand, was cleared for a jumping start across the Tasman.

“I got to Cranbourne last week and he jumped six fences and the steward gave him the thumbs up and then they turned around and said he wasn’t qualified to run,” Steffert said.

“I had to take him all the way to Warrnambool to run in a mile and a half trial on Sunday – that was four hours there and four hours back so it wasn’t ideal, but there’s nothing to be done about it.”

Steffert said under the circumstances he was glad he had taken the advice of fellow Kiwi jumps trainer John Wheeler.

“He said to get him ready at home and in his last two starts he’s run third and fourth in open handicaps so he’s fit enough and he’s eaten all his tucker since the trial.”

Placed on the flat in past Australian visits in the Geelong and Kyneton Cups, Back In Black will be ridden on Wednesday by Michael Mitchell, who has been aboard the gelding in three of his hurdle wins.

“You can’t beat them by staying at home so hopefully he’ll go well,” Steffert said. “There’s a few hurdle and steeplechase races for him and he’s paid his way when he’s been here before.”

Back In Black will be opposed in the Galleywood by the Wheeler-trained Wai Not (who races as Wai Not P’Roni). He finished runner-up on both days at the Oakbank Easter meeting and was again second over fences last time out at Ballarat.