Warrnambool trainer Patrick Ryan has the Grand National Hurdle on Ferago’s agenda after his stable star’s impressive win on jumps debut at Casterton last Sunday week.
Ferago ($4.20) scored by three-quarters of a length in a maiden hurdle at Casterton, having earned $625,800 from 57 starts for seven wins on the flat.
Ryan said Ferago had pulled up well from his Casterton run and will likely step out at Sandown on Sunday.
The $100,000 Lafferty Hurdle at Warrnambool on Sunday June 28 and the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle at Sandown on Sunday August 2 are potential winter targets.
“We’ll get over this Sunday first but it’s in the back of my mind” Ryan said.
Jack will be back
Tough steeplechaser Hit The Road Jack is having a short break before being set for features at the end of the 2026 jumping season.
Trained by Symon Wilde, Hit The Road Jack was runner-up in the Brierly Steeplechase and Grand Annual Steeplechase at this month’s Warrnambool carnival. 
Wilde said the nine-year-old deserved a short break.
“I thought he was sensational in both his runs at the carnival, especially his effort in the Grand Annual,” he said. 
“It was an incredible effort to get beaten in a photo finish after jumping 33 fences and running 5500 metres. 
“I thought (winner) Instigator was brave. With an ounce of luck the result might have gone our way but that’s racing. 
“We decided to give him a few days in the paddock. He pulled up well. 
“We’ll look at running him in a few of the feature distance steeplechase races in June, July and August. I’d love to think he can have another crack at the Grand Annual in 2027.”
Wilde is meanwhile working out a program for emerging steeplechaser Golden Garden, who won an open steeplechase at the recent Casterton meet.
“I think we’ll have a crack at the Thackeray Steeplechase with him,” he said. “He’s a progressive type of jumper.”
The Thackeray, at Warrnambool on July 5, will also be a target for champion ’chaser Stern Idol.
Wilde is considering a 2027 Grand Annual campaign for Golden Garden, but worries that he might be too brilliant for the 5500-metre marathon.