Lupton and Roodyvoo teamed to win the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) at Riccarton last Saturday.
Roodyvoo is trained by Kevin Myers, who provided Lupton with his first National winner, Gauchito Bastado, in 2007. Gauchito Bastado was by Istidaad, the sire of Roodyvoo.
The youngest horse in the field at seven years, Roodyvoo began jumping last August with a win in a steeplechase at Hawera. He won again at Wanganui in May and finished second to Megapixel in the Australian Steeplechase at Sandown, from three starts in Victoria this winter.
Myers also has Honey in the field. Honey finished third to Wotabuzz and Waitaha Toa in the Grand National Hurdles on Wednesday.
Lupton has won the National Steeples (5600m) the past two years on Counter Punch, trained by Mark Oulaghan, who won the race with Deecee Seven in 1997 and 1998.
Oulaghan has Brushman engaged tomorrow. Hayley Curran, who rode the Oulaghan-trained Wotabuzz to win the National Hurdles on Wednesday, has the mount. Brushman finished seventh, 12 lengths from Roodyvoo in the Koral. He has not been successful since the Wellington Steeplechase last year.
Ho Down shaped like a National prospect when he rallied late to run Roodyvoo to a neck in the Koral. He finished fourth in the National last year.
Cape Kinaveral, who finished second last year, is top weight with 69kg. He has been minor-placed this winter, including a second to Toubouggie Nights in the Great Eastern at Oakbank.
The TAB has Roodyvoo a $2.90 favourite, ahead of Brushman and Ho Down at $5.50.
Superturf is a $3.40 favourite for the $40,000 Winter Classic, ahead of Intransigent. Superturf finished second to Ishiabeel in the race last year.
