Bennyosler, winner of the Hawkes Bay Hurdles last month and runner-up in the Wellington Hurdles at his subsequent start, has been entered for the Koral Steeplechase at Riccarton on Saturday.
Bennyosler, trained by John Wheeler at New Plymouth, has three wins and six placings in 13 starts over hurdles. The Istidaad gelding has yet to race in a steeplechase.
Counter Punch, Triplepan, Gauchito Bastado and Nicholman are other entrants for the Koral.
Counter Punch won the Wellington Hurdles at his last start. He won the Homeby Steeple at Riccarton last month.
Gauchito Bastado won over hurdles at Oamaru on July 17 when resuming racing from a break of close on two years. He won the 2007 Grand National Steeplechase.
Triplepan won the Wellington Steeplechase on July 11.
Nicholman had a race on the flat at Oamaru on Sunday. His trainer, Brian Anderton, said Nicholman had been found amiss in a blood test after his lacklustre fourth in a steeple at Oamaru on June 24.
Buddy Lammas has opted to ride O'Ceirin's Angel in the Winter Cup on Saturday. The Otaki apprentice rode Shamrock Star to an upset win in the race last year.
Lammas won the group three Post-poned and Stoney Bridge Stakes (1400m) for fillies and mares on O'Ceirin's Angel in October. He also rode the Sandie Cookson-trained mare to win an open 1400m at Trentham last month.
Lammas rode the Winter Cup entrant Lunus to a last-start win at New Plymouth on July 18. Lunus and High Powered will represent Awapuni trainer Jeff Lynds in the Winter Cup. Noel Harris has retained the ride on High Powered. This was a winning combination in the Whyte Handicap at Trentham on July 11.
Lynds won the Winter with Trounced in 1998 when training with Gary Barlow.
• Result of the open trial at Avondale yesterday. -
Weather, fine; track, slow (7).
Open, 1050m: Kinarne T Harris 1; Deity 2; Dynamite 3.
Four started. 1L, 4L.
Time, 1.07.67.
Trainer, L Saunders.
