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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Rayner chasing dream family double in National
Paul Vettise, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • August 8th, 2025 12:26 pm
Lord Spencer will contest the Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday | Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
JJ Rayner is bidding to follow in the footsteps of her father at Riccarton on Saturday.
The Wanganui horsewoman will realise a long-held dream if her charge Lord Spencer can claim top honours in the Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m).
In 1990, the Evan Rayner-trained Mister Divinsky won the Sydenham Hurdles (3200m) before he produced another dashing display seven days later to coast home in the National and remain unbeaten over the small fences.
“It would be so awesome to match that, he was a fabulous jumper and won all six of his races before he sadly broke down,” JJ Rayner said.
Last year’s Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) winner Lord Spencer didn’t figure in the finish of the Sydenham on the opening day of the festival but will strip a lot fitter for the outing.
He had suffered a minor setback after finishing fifth in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3000m) before heading south.
“It probably didn’t look much last Saturday, but he really needed it,” Rayner said.
“After Woodville, he tweaked his joint a little bit. It was nothing major and we had to give him a few days off and then go quietly.
“He was a bit fresh on the first day and pulled hard, he was probably way too handy during the running, so it was all a bit upside down for him.”
Since then, Lord Spencer has done everything right ahead of the National, in which he will again be ridden by Lemmy Douglas.
“He’s done so well during the week, he hasn’t left an oat and had a good bowl around on the plough on Thursday morning,” Rayner said.
“He’s really good, he’s bouncing around and eating well, he’s fighting fit.”
She has also made a change with Saturday’s extended trip in mind.
‘I’ve taken the side winkers off for Saturday, he’s got another 1000m to go so we’re hoping he’ll settle like he normally does,” Rayner said.
“I won’t be too worried if he switches off and goes back and then gets going again, that’s how he likes to do things.
“He can go through a flat patch, he’s a really funny horse and you can’t boss him around.
“He can’t be told what to do, he can dig his toes in, so you just have to go with him.”
Lord Spencer has won three times over fences and finished fourth in the National 12 months ago and less than five lengths off the winner Berry The Cash, the pre-post favourite in the defence of his title. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
