Tom's Myth and Shaun Phelan hope to step back in time

That was in the 2012 Great Norther Steeplechase when 20-year-old Phelan's fledgling jumps riding career got a major boost through the deeds of the then sprightly eight-year-old jumper.

It was a watershed season for Phelan as Tom's Myth struck career best form and won the northern after earlier winning the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase and the Mad Butcher Pakuranga Hunt Cup.

In 2012 he decisively beat Brushman who is a rival and one of the favourites for Saturday's  2015 edition of the Wellington Steeplechase, a race in which Phelan hopes Tom's Myth will, at least, show some of his 2012 form.

There might have been plenty of water go under the bridge but old Tom's Smyth has hit a dry spell.

He's had a couple of placings but hasn't been able to win since that brilliant winter.

Phelan knows the now 11-year-old as well as anyone including the Rainbow Myth gelding's trainer, Ann Browne, and the talented horseman thinks the horse has been a bit bored with life but is hoping he might experience a new lease of life in Saturday's race.

Phelan rode him for the first time since last winter and sparked him up in a highweight at Te Aroha last Sunday - the same day his father Craig  trained four winners all ridden by Emily Farr.

It was a great day, Phelan and Farr have been a life partners for some time and do a lot of work on Craig Phelan's small racing team.

That's another story but the spark up Tom's Myth had in that hit-out might have broken the boredom.

"He jumped like a machine when I schooled him at Mrs Browne's this morning [Thursday]," Phelan said.

"On Saturday I intend to ride him like the horse he used to be. He's back on the minimum in the handicap and there will be no excuses."

Brushman, Mr Mor, No Quota and Jack Romanov will be tough to beat in the 5500 metre spectacle around the unique figure-eight steeplechase course at Trentham.

The steeples carry the same $75,000 stake as the day's other feature the Lone Star Cafe & Bar Wellington Hurdles where Phelan rides Tom's Myth's stablemate, Big Brownie.

"He's only really there because the numbers were a bit light," Phelan said. "He went okay at Te Aroha the other day but really he's getting ready to go steeplechasing which he'll have a crack at next start - that's his go."

Wee Biskit, Superturf, Harvest The Gold and Thenamesbond are leading chances in the nine-horse hurdle field.

Phelan has been back in the saddle for just a couple of weeks as he spent time recovering from an injury.

He's had plenty to keep himself occupied in his role helping his father with their five-strong racing team and a couple of young horses.

It's been a rewarding time for the father and son who are joined in the operation by Farr.

"Everything we've lined up this year has won," Phelan said. "We've got some good horses with bright futures."

West End, an addition to the stable earlier this winter has won his last two hurdle races ridden impeccably by Farr and is on a Great Northern Hurdle campaign.

The $125,000 feature is on September 5 and lead-up runs are planned in the $50,000 Tony Richards Toyota Hurdle at Ellerslie on August 22 and an open hurdle at Te Aroha on August 9.

Phelan won't be claiming the ride on the Faltaat gelding even though he has fully recovered from injury.

"He goes much better for Emily - we've got him fit and right and now all we have to do is keep him a bit fresh and happy.

"He's improved heaps with a fairly tough training regime - previously he was always a bit fat - and he has thrived on it including working up Mrs Browne's hill."

Bahhton another recent addition to the stable made a super impressive hurdle debut at Te Aroha and his win came as no surprise.

"If I was going to ride one it would be him. He's a good hurdler and Emily taught him heaps at Te Aroha," Phelan said.

"He won't tackle anything big this winter and will actually revert to the flat for his next race."

Meanwhile Phelan and Farr head south for Friday's meeting at Timaru where Phelan's mounts include Eric The Viking who he rode to victory in the 2014 Grand National Steeplechase.

The gelding is struggling to regain that form and Phelan is hoping "he runs a cheeky race so we can have another look at combining in this year's Grand National".

"The hardest for us to beat on Friday will Be Emily and her horse, Faites Vos Jeux."