Racing: Kennedy has the numbers

Close to home . . . Janefield Jewel is one of five starters in race 2 for local trainer Terry...
Close to home . . . Janefield Jewel is one of five starters in race 2 for local trainer Terry Kennedy at Wingatui today. Photo: Matt Smith

By 1pm today, Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy should have a fair idea what kind of day he is going to have.

Kennedy lines up no fewer than five runners in the second race on the nine-race card, a 1200m maiden.

A five-strong representation over the sprinting trip was not in Kennedy's plans two weeks ago, but circumstances forced his hand with a wet track at Gore last week.

"A couple of them wanted a bit further," Kennedy said.

"I had them in down south and it was too wet and we had some bad draws, so I scratched them, and they've got to start somewhere."

Kennedy's five runners - Janefield Jewel, Go Solo, Conceal, Inbee and Lydia - have all been working well, and

he feels all five are a chance depending on the trip they get during the running.

"Whoever gets the best run will feature - they're all equal on ability."

"Inbee will be quite hard to beat on her last run and she's improved a lot since her last race. But Janefield Jewel has improved a bit, too. She seems to improve every time she goes to the races."

The 1200m might be slightly too short for Lydia, who is on debut, but Kennedy feels weight relief could help Go Solo.

"He can get back a bit but he's got a 1kg allowance tomorrow, so hopefully it can race midfield and with the way it finishes off races, it's going to be hard to beat as well."

Weight relief was absolutely necessary for Anzac Star in the rating 85 1200m.

The 8yr-old, rated 93, had been given 63kg to carry but Kennedy engaged apprentice jockey Krishna Mudhoo - who can claim 4kg - for the race.

"He comes back in with 59kg and he will be competitive with that weight on if everything goes right and the boy does everything he's supposed to do," Kennedy said.

Anzac Star carried 60kg when running fourth at Gore three starts back, so Kennedy knows the old campaigner can carry weight if needed.

"He only went under in the last 30 strides, probably. I don't think the weight is going to bother him too much.

"He'll be in front or outside the leader, I'd say."

Kennedy also has Drumregal in a fresh state in the same race. The 6yr-old mare is on trial for a start on the last day of the New Zealand Cup carnival at Riccarton.

Kennedy's rising star, Dalwhinnie, gets in nicely in the last race of the day, carrying 56kg in the rating 75 1600m.

She resumed with a seventh over 1400m at Winton three weeks ago.

"That was perfect, that was. She should be very, very hard to beat. She's our best runner on the day and she should get over the top of them no worries, I would think."

Ironworker (race 3) can make ground late if the pace is on, while Young Issy (race 8) will appreciate the 1600m today.

TIPS FROM THE TALENT

Courtney Barnes
Signify (Race 7, No 5)
Jake Lowry
Tommy Tucker (Race 6, No 3)
Shane Anderton
Gallant Defender (Race 3, No 3)
Toni Direen
Janefield Jewel (Race 2, No 4)
Kelvin Tyler
Hayley Maree (Race 6, No 5)
Claire Anderton
Sofia Loren (Race 4, No 9)

 

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