Jo Rathbone will be one of several Central Districts trainers heading to Te Rapa for the first Northern jumps meeting of the season on Saturday.

The Wanganui horsewoman has engaged progressive steeplechaser Torque Time for the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial (3900m), after the eight-year-old finished second behind Afterallthistime at Hawera a fortnight ago.

“I thought it was a good run for him first-up over the jumps this year, and hopefully he’ll be fitter and tougher for Saturday,” Rathbone said.

“I’d expect him to go another good race.”

The son of Guillotine will be partnered by Irishman Dylan Mcdonagh, who decreases his weight impost to 65.5kg, while well-performed jumper Raucous sits at the top of the book with 70.5kg.

Rathbone had previously earmarked the Manawatu Steeplechase (2000m) for Torque Time on May 25, and last year’s winner Des De Jeu also took his next step towards the Trentham feature with a 2000m trial at Waverley on Tuesday.

“He’ll have a run in the steeplechase at Wanganui next week, and then he’ll go onto the Manawatu Steeplechase from there,” Rathbone said.

Also appearing at the trials was lightly-tried four-year-old Mr Twinkletoes, a soft-track specialist that was successful twice in his last campaign from three appearances. 

“He’s just looking for a wet track, so we’ll wait for a bit of rain and he’ll be ready to go, but he seems to be coming up nicely,” Rathbone said.