Racing: King Kenny ends winning drought in style

King Kenny regains winning form in the feature trot at Cromwell yesterday. Photo by Matt Smith.
King Kenny regains winning form in the feature trot at Cromwell yesterday. Photo by Matt Smith.
King Kenny's winning drought is over after he strolled away with the feature trot at Cromwell yesterday.

The son of Pegasus Spur was put into a nice spot, getting cover from The Fiery Ginga during the middle section of the race, before winning by 3 lengths from Jess Jaccka in 3.29.2.

The 5yr-old was last seen in the winner's circle in April 2011 and he has been a challenging project for Westwood Beach trainers Graeme Anderson and Amber Hoffman since they got the trotter off Tim Butt several months ago.

He suffered from ligament injuries but the beach training with Anderson and Hoffman has worked a treat, although Anderson feels he may have needed the run at Winton on December 29.

King Kenny's cause was not helped at Winton after he stepped well but a false start was called.

''He just probably got fresh last week and then a false start [did not help],'' Anderson said.

Anderson and Hoffman often use the country's leading driver, Dexter Dunn, on their team and they turned to him again.

''It was great to get Dex on [although] Johnny [Cox] has done a great job,'' he said.

King Kenny is likely to be sighted next at the Northern Southland meeting at Ascot Park on January 17 or Oamaru on January 20.

New York Town continues to be a good advertisement for teamwork after he held on to claim a 1-win mobile pace.

The 4yr-old Falcon Seelster gelding is trained by Alister Black, although Black said credit needed to go elsewhere. He was invited to pre-train for Ian and Lindsay Thomson who set up a place at Branxholme in Southland.

''We pre-trained for a couple of seasons and they've asked me to take the training over,'' Black said.

''They do most of the work; I just try and steer them in the right direction.''

New York Town, whom Black described as a ''nice wee horse'', will have a run at Ascot Park on January 17 before having a short break.

 

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