Racing: Kennedy joins the ranks

Nutinear is one of two chances for Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy in race 4 at Wingatui today....
Nutinear is one of two chances for Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy in race 4 at Wingatui today. PHOTO: MATT SMITH
Just the small matter of 330 wins separate Terry Kennedy's two jockeys in the amateur riders' rating 65 1600m at Wingatui today.

There's Jason Laking (32), whose 10 group or listed wins include the group 1 One Thousand Guineas with The Jewel in 2002. And then there's Kennedy's son Bailey, who will make his debut on Nutinear.

The 17-year-old Otago Boys' High School pupil has been an occasional rider at jumpouts in the past two years, and also appeared in the charity riders' race at Wingatui early this month.

Kennedy said his son was looking forward to his debut at a race meeting, although he did not want to give him too much credit just yet.

''His hands aren't too bad but they're probably not as good as he thinks they are though,'' Kennedy quipped.

''Hopefully he can get a bit of money and it would be good if he won, but as long as one of them wins.''

Kennedy junior will stick to the amateur ranks for now, his father said.

''He's still at school and doing all right at school, so he's better off staying there.''

Kennedy can also be sure his son will take on board the riding instructions for Nutinear.

''Last start, it led, and the riding instructions were to get back last. Bailey won't be in a hurry early tomorrow, and the horse should run on quite well.''

Laking will ride Drumgold for Kennedy in the same race, and the trainer is keen to give him a better hope than the same race last year, when My Reason ran down the track.

He found it hard to split Drumgold and Nutinear, although race fitness might be the deciding factor.

''They're both pretty even, really - I reckon they should both good give accounts,'' he said.

''Drumgold goes through it all right and is probably a bit fitter than Nutinear.''

The track was rated heavy10 yesterday and Nutinear has won on a heavy track before, but Kennedy said it could almost be in slow territory tomorrow, provided the frost does not kick in.

Nutinear might be the sentimental favourite for Kennedy and wife Debbie - both former jockeys - but Raw Gold (race 9) looks the best chance to score for the stable tomorrow.

The St Reims mare finished on well at Wingatui on May 31, and Kennedy expects the track to be more suitable for the 4yr-old and rider Chris Johnson tomorrow.

''It got a bit flat and Chris felt the track was a bit holding for her,'' he said.

''It's improved since its race, so it's going to be hard to beat.''

Buzzer (race 7) should carry on from his third on debut at the Wingatui meeting three weeks ago.

''He will only have one or two more runs then go back out - he's quite a big, immature horse.''

Kennedy's two other runners are in race 8, where Janefield Jewel could surprise punters ahead of Go Solo.

''Janefield Jewel will go a very cheeky race - it is going to improve lots, but she has quite a bit of ability, so I expect her to go well.''

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