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FIFA World Cup 2026 posterWest Coast to kick-off jumping season at Te Rapa
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • May 22nd, 2026 3:39 pm
West Coast will contest Sunday's Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) at Te Rapa | Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Jumps fans will rejoice this weekend when they get to see Champion Jumper West Coast return over fences in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) at Te Rapa on Sunday.
The Hamilton track has been a happy stomping ground for the 10-year-old gelding, who has won both of his starts at the venue – the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m).
He hasn’t won since his 2024 Great Northern triumph, and trainer Mark Oulaghan is hoping he can bounce back to winning form with his return to Te Rapa this weekend.
The Palmerston North horseman was satisfied with his first-up run on the flat over 2200m at Woodville last month and said he has shown plenty of progression in his work at home.
“He seems quite well, his flat run was okay, and he has worked very well in the meantime,” Oulaghan said. “He will just need the run a fraction, but they are probably all in the same boat.”
Oulaghan gave West Coast a longer break than usual over summer and said the 10-year-old gelding has benefited from it.
“We spelled him a bit longer and I think he has appreciated that a bit,” Oulaghan said. “I think he is in better fettle this year, he seems to have come back quite well.”
With regular rider Shaun Fannin retiring from jumps racing, Auckland hoop Joshua Parker has been rewarded with the ride after coming down to help Oulaghan school his jumpers.
“Josh came down and he was prepared to school a few so it was only logical I would give him the ride,” Oulaghan said. “Hopefully he will make a good job of it.”
West Coast is currently a $5 equal second favourite for Sunday’s jumping feature, alongside Jakama Krystal and Whiskey Tango, with Justice heading the market at $3.40.
All going to plan, Oulaghan said West Coast will return to Te Rapa in a fortnight for his first major assignment of the year, the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m).
While it’s full steam ahead with West Coast’s preparation, Oulaghan said his other star jumper Berry The Cash has been ruled out for the season.
“He has had a setback with a tendon injury, so we have decided to give him the season off,” Oulaghan said. “Hopefully he has got another couple of years in him.”
While disappointed with the outcome, Oulaghan said it could be a blessing in disguise, with Berry The Cash deserving an extended break following a busy preparation last year, which included a trip across the Tasman.
“He had a busy season last year, we had to get him ready early to go to Warrnambool and then he came back and it was quite a tough season on him,” he said. “I think he deserves a bit of a break.”
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Oulaghan will be represented by just the one runner at New Plymouth when Cheval de Foudre contests the Warner Construction 1600.
The three-win gelding has made a pleasing return from a two-year hiatus from racing, placing in his two starts this preparation, and he is rated a $6.50 equal favourite by TAB bookmakers, alongside Metaverse, to score a deserved win.
