TOUGH New Zealand jumper Lucky Tonight makes his Australian debut in a $50,000 steeplechase at Casterton on Sunday, but trainer Shelley Houston has bigger races in mind for the seven-year-old.
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Houston is eyeing running Lucky Tonight in the Crisp and Grand National Steeplechases in August, before setting the lightly-raced jumper at next year's Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase.
Lucky Tonight prepared for Casterton's 3800-metre jumping race with a steeple trial at Warrnambool on Tuesday. Houston was pleased with the trial over 2800 metres, with race day jockey Richard Eynon in the saddle.
"I was really happy with his work on Tuesday," the Cambridge trainer said.
"Lucky Tonight jumped the fences well and had a good blow after the trial – it's all good going forward to Casterton.
“I've got to see how he performs on Sunday, but I would like to run him in the Crisp and the Grand National later in the season."
Lucky Tonight was earmarked to run in this year's Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase but a virus in March halted those plans.
"We were ready to make the trip," the Houston said.
"I thought we had him going really well, but he caught a virus and we missed Warrnambool. I'm hoping to bring him over for next year's Grand Annual.
“He had a good look around Warrnambool on Tuesday and he had no concerns, which is a bonus for us going forward."
King Of The Forest, who has won two of his last three steeplechase starts including one at Casterton on May 22, is one of the main chances in the feature race on the seven race program.
The steeplechase is scheduled to start at 2.45pm.
