THE 2020 jumps season kicks off at Warrnambool on Thursday, with the running of three jumping races on an eight-event program.
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Veteran jumper Dormello Mo resumes from a 196-day break with Warrnambool jumps jockey Shane Jackson in the saddle and has to carry 70 kilograms in a restricted steeplechase for south-west trainer Simon Ryan.
Ryan said Dormello Mo had trialled well for the opening steeplechase of the season but he felt the 10-year-old might be vulnerable with the big weight at the end of 3450 metres.
"The 70kgs is a big worry," the former talented jumps jockey said.
"He's carried big weights and won before but not at the start of his preparation and he'll be giving a lot of weight to the other horses after you take their claims into account."
For the last few seasons Dormello Mo has raced in feature jumps races but this year Ryan will look at lesser steeplechase races for the imported jumper.
"I'll be taking Dormello Mo back a level this season," he said.
"Dormello Mo has been unlucky in some of the features but he's a year older.
"Small fish are sweet. He handles the jumps at Casterton well so we'll probably head up there for a race or two over the winter months."
Popular Warrnambool-based jockey Luke Williams makes his return to jumps riding on Thursday.
Williams has ridden with success on the flat and now will mix riding over the jumps with on the flat.
He last rode in jumps races more than 20 years ago in Tasmania. The other jumps race on the program, apart from the restricted steeplechase, are a restricted hurdle and a maiden hurdle. The first race is at 1pm.
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