Reach for a Tonic

IF omens are anything to go by the John Wheeler-trained Real Tonic will be hard to beat in today's $140,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) at Warrnambool.

Although he finished fifth in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) on Tuesday, that form line was spot on for the star jumper heading into the Annual.

Over the Easter Carnival at Oakbank, Real Tonic finished fifth in the Von Doussa Steeple before a stunning win in the Great Eastern Steeplechase by more than 34 lengths on a rain-soaked track.

With a rain-affected track again expected to be a factor and the New Zealand trainer masterminding the campaign, it would be a brave punter who tipped against another Wheeler win in the carnival's highlight event. 

Jockey Brett Scott, who last year combined with Wheeler to win both the Brierly and the Grand Annual on Frankoo Verymuch, said yesterday that Real Tonic was spot on for the 5500-metre trek over 33 fences.

``I'm as happy as I can be with him,'' Scott said. ``He's pulled up fine, he should be no problems for the Annual.''

Scott said the nine-year-old had run into trouble in the Brierly but he had been happy the way the horse had finished the race.

``He got into a bit of strife early and got back a bit further than I had anticipated,'' he said.

``He was caught wide in the Brierly but he's drawn perfectly for the Annual (barrier one). He'll get a nice run from there and I'm sure he'll run a big race.''

Scott pointed to Tuesday's Brierly winner High Czar as one of the hardest to beat, along with Eric Musgrove's established jumps star Chakra, which hasn't run since Oakbank.

``Chakra's a proven horse but I've got no doubt High Czar will make a very good race of it, especially in the first two thirds of the race.

``It will be interesting to see if he can keep going the extra distance here.''

High Czar will look to emulate the deeds of Frankoo Verymuch last year and go for the Brierly-Grand Annual double.

Geelong trainer Kelvin Bourke said the seven-year-old gelding had pulled up nicely from Tuesday's outing.

``He seems pretty right,'' he said. ``He ate up good after the race. We're going to take him down to the beach now just to give him a bit of a jog around.

``The owners are pretty keen to run him.

``I don't know if he is a champion but maybe if he can win again he will be by the end of the week.''

Warrnambool trainer Bill Wilde said his hope Mascagni had pulled up fine from his run on Tuesday and at this stage he looked a certain runner in the Annual.

``He's pulled up pretty well, he's eating, he's bright and at this stage we're happy to go ahead with an Annual run,'' he said.

``On face value he was pretty disappointing in the Brierly. I would have hoped he was a bit further forward. But I've since viewed the tape and he was caught out wide and didn't have a lot of luck in running. We're pretty happy to go ahead with
him.''

While Chakra will be the leading contender for the Musgrove stables, Super Cobra is another of his stable expected to be in the finish.

Super Cobra, third in the Great Eastern Steeplechase, will be ridden by former Grand Annual winner Brian Constable and meets Real Tonic 4.5kg better at the weights. Both horses carried 63.5kg at Oakbank. Real Tonic will carry 67kg today
while Super Cobra lugs 62.5kg.

Cranbourne trainer Chris Hyland has Thunder Line set for the race after scratching the seven-year-old from the Brierly.

Meanwhile, Frances Houlahan, winner three years ago with Sampan Man, will saddle up Doug's Dream.

The Grand Annual Steeplechase is race seven at 2.35pm.