The Big Opal has the Grand National Steeplechase at his mercy after his second win in the Koral Steeplechase at Riccarton on Saturday.
Rider Shaun Fannin controlled the race in front before stoking up the 9yr-old, one of four winners for Whanganui trainer Kevin Myers on the first day of the Grand National Carnival.
The dominant 5½-length victory over southerners Kina Win and Tai Ho sent an ominous warning to his rivals that The Big Opal is on track to avenge his defeat in the Grand National last year. The horse lined up as the favourite after winning the Koral, but he let his backers down by unseating rider Matthew Gillies.
Bookmakers reacted to The Big Opal's commanding win by moving him into a $2 price on their fixed-odds market for next Saturday's Grand National.
That quote reflects Fannin's confidence.
''Everything I asked of him he did so it's is very positive for next weekend,'' Fannin said.
''He measured his fences well and relaxed and got into a good rhythm so it's all looking good. He makes up a lot of ground at his fences and he's got that flat speed to increase the tempo and push the issue when we need him to.
''He's had a different preparation to last year and he can be quite a bullish horse, but he settled nicely in front today.
Ours jumped to victory in a maiden steeplechase for rider Will Gordon and the Myers stable but he will not join The Big Opal in the nominations for the Grand National.
Myers also won two flat races on Saturday - Wazuzu triumphed in rating 75 company under rider Rosie Myers and Highbrook won for apprentice Sam Weatherly in rating 65 grade.
Stablemate Ngario was backed into $1.70 tote-favouritism for the Sydenham Hurdles, but could not match Go Go Gonzo. The 8yr-old won the traditional lead-up to Wednesday's Grand National Hurdles by more than eight lengths under rider Hamish McNeil.
Waiuku trainer Sean Cameron will back up his rookie jumper in Wednesday's feature.
''He's only in his first year of jumping and he's come a long way in a short time, but we've got to have a go now,'' he said.
The victory also put the horse's surprise failure on a testing Timaru track last month behind him.
''He got taken on in front and made a couple of mistakes. That took the stuffing out of him and you never know what that can do to their confidence.''
-Additional reporting by NZ Racing Desk
