2025 Brierly Steeple: Leaderboard to finally top standings?
Leaderboard has thrived since tackling the Australian jumps scene soon after arriving from New Zealand in early 2024.
The Mark Walker-trained gelding won a maiden hurdle at his second jumps outing at last year's Warrnambool May Carnival before scoring in a Benchmark 120 steeple last June.
Leaderboard took on the best jumpers in training in the Australian and Grand National Hurdles as well as the Grand National Steeplechase last winter, running minor placings in all three features.
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However, Leaderboard has returned in terrific form over steeples this season, winning at Ballarat and Pakenham to start his 2025 jumps campaign.
The form has left Leaderboard as the $3.40 favourite in early Brierly Steeplechase betting.
'We were the bridesmaid in a couple of big ones but hopefully he's a bit better in the big ones this year,' Leaderboard's trainer Mark Walker said.
'He couldn't be in better form so there's no reason he won't run well at Warrnambool.'
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Leaderboard had enough quality on the flat to win the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) in New Zealand in 2023.
Walker said the 10-year-old had improved his jumping with the benefit of last season's experience behind him.
'He won a Wellington Cup as an older horse and it was only his first actual jumps season last year,' Walker said.
'He's pretty adaptable and we can slot him in anywhere but in jumps racing, you've always got to hope for the best as well.
'Bad luck can come into it but he's a safe jumper.'
Leaderboard and jockey Will Gordon have combined for wins at Ballarat and Pakenham at their last two attempts. Picture: Racing Photos
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Walker said the son of Street Cry would back up in Thursday's Grand Annual Steeplechase over the marathon 5500m.
Leaderboard has not raced beyond the 4500m of the Grand Annual Steeplechase at Ballarat but said the gelding's confidence on the Warrnambool track would help him.
'He'll definitely back up in both races,' Walker said.
'He won a maiden hurdle there last year so he knows the track.
'The Grand Annual distance, who knows until you try it?'
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Will Gordon will ride Leaderboard in the Brierly Steeplechase while the Englishman will also ride another of Walker's runners on Tuesday when Dreamflight makes his jumps debut.
Walker has only trained Dreamflight for three starts but said the son of Frankel's owners bought the gelding mainly to target the Warrnambool Carnival.
'He just still lacks a bit of experience but he's got a good jockey on him,' Walker said.
'I think he will pay his way over the jumps.'
Dreamflight is a $19 chance to emulate Leaderboard in winning a maiden hurdle at Warrnambool.
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