Racing: Melbourne on the radar

a 2yr-old Jimmy Choux filly (left), ridden by Debbie Kennedy, and Countess Ruby, ridden by KC...
a 2yr-old Jimmy Choux filly (left), ridden by Debbie Kennedy, and Countess Ruby, ridden by KC Walters, are put through their paces on the inner sand track at Wingatui yesterday. PHOTO: MATT SMITH
Terry Kennedy might be in for his first racing campaign as a trainer in Victoria if the spring goes well for Princess Brook and Dalwhinnie.

The pair look like the rising stars in Kennedy's Wingatui stable out of the 15 he and wife Debbie are working this spring.

Princess Brook, a 4yr-old, and Dalwhinnie, a 5yr-old, have both returned to trackwork looking healthy and have encouraged Kennedy to press on with his ambitious plan.

''They'll probably have one before Melbourne Cup day [at Wingatui] and I wouldn't mind taking them to Melbourne if they come up all right.

''We'll have a go at the fillies and mares races over there just before Christmas''Kennedy has sent one horse to Australia before.

Mr Toff was trained by David Bourne at Seymour and was never further back than five lengths from the winner in his 10 starts.

His last two runs were country cups wins, claiming the Pakenham Cup and Yarra Valley Cup in March 2007.

''It'll be the first time I take them over myself,'' Kennedy said.

He was not hugely tempted by the riches on offer at New Zealand Cup week for the mares.

''I just feel if you have a go there, it flattens them for around Christmas time, so I will dodge there and concentrate on Melbourne if they come up well,'' Kennedy said.

''Unfortunately here, you get handicapped out of it for no money, so you're better off having a go [in Australia] while you're down in the grades a bit.''

Dalwhinnie's first attempt over ground at Riccarton in May was a resounding success, and both mares will be peaking over at least 1600m.

''Princess Brook should get a mile [1600m] and maybe a mile and a-quarter [2000m], but Dalwhinnie looks like she will get a mile and a-quarter plus. She could win a nice staying race there.''

Kennedy also has time for a 3yr-old Raise The Flag-Sustain filly named Countess Ruby and a 2yr-old Jimmy Choux filly out of Habitual. Both fillies had a run on the inner sand track at Wingatui yesterday morning.

Kennedy described Countess Ruby as a ''pretty smart animal''. The Jimmy Choux filly - a $6000 purchase at this year's Karaka yearling sales - could start as early as the Riccarton meeting on October 3.

''That will hopefully race in the 2yr-old race at Riccarton [over 800m].''

The fillies were likely to have a run at the Wingatui jumpouts next Tuesday, Kennedy said.

Add a Comment