Eric Musgrove, the trainer of jumper Karasi, which is back in Japan for his chance to win a second consecutive Nakayama Grand Jump, the world’s richest invitationonly steeplechase.By Glen Atwell
OFFICERtrained jumper Karasi is ready to etch his name into horseracing history.
The 11yearold stayer is again carrying the Australian flag to the starting gates of the world’s richest steeplechase, the $1.8 million Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan on 15 April.
Last year, the Eric Musgrovetrained gelding ran second in the leadup event, the Pegasus Steeple, before winning the Nakayama Grand Jump three weeks later.
After Karasi again ran second in the Pegasus Steeple, a sense of deja vu and big expectations surround this year’s Japanese campaign.
The 4200metre jump is regarded as the world’s toughest steeple race.
Jockeys and horses navigate the figureeight course, which features large hedgetype fences, dissimilar to those used at Australian racetracks.
Karasi joined Musgrove’s stable in 2003 and has had 13 starts over jumps.
His impressive record of six wins, a second and four thirds, and the fact Karasi has never finished further back than fourth in a jumps race, speaks volumes for the horse, which has collected more than $1.7 million in prizemoney.
When the gates fly back and the Nakayama field thunders from the barriers next Saturday, a second consecutive win could have the horse taking claim to the title of world’s best jumper.
Move over Makybe Diva.
