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Wyong trainer Allan Kehoe reckons Mitch Courte is a lucky owner.
Courte is the managing part-owner of the syndicate that race slick sprinter Ice Bucket who is scheduled to line up in the Coonamble Cannonball (1100m) on Sunday.
“Ice Bucket is the first horse Mitch picked out himself. He got him at a tried horse sale for $16,000,” Kehoe recalled. “He paid for himself winning his first start for us at Hawkesbury.
“He’s got a couple of other horses with us who have all won.”
Ice Bucket was formerly with Garry Moore at Randwick where he won three races. Under Kehoe’s care the son of Nadeem has won two races and two close second’s.
For Kehoe, who was raised in Coonamble and studied his trade under legendary local trainer John Lundholm, returning to his home town brings a special occasion.
“It’s always lovely to go back to Coonamble and win a race of two,” Kehoe admitted. “Hopefully we can knock off the Cannonball.”
Kehoe will also saddle up Bursting Through in the sprint event but warned should the track be heavy he was an unlikely starter.
“If it was a good track he could knock off the black horse (Ice Bucket),” Kehoe suggested of the four-year-old stablemate. “But he’s no good in the heavy.”
Ice Bucket is first-up from a 45-day spell and it’s worth noting he is unbeaten first-up from three previous attempts.
“Yeah, he does good good first-up,” Kehoe admitted. “He’s pretty forward. He’s had a good freshen up and a nice soft trial at Wyong.
“He’s pretty much on song. I’m very happy with the pair of mine.”
Ice Bucket, who is blessed with an abundance of early speed from the barriers, hasn’t raced since his 0.1 lengths second to Grafton July Carnival contender Crossroad, in the 1215m Autumn Dash at Grafton on May 10. He was 0.8 lengths second to Cool Ice in the Lone Pine Charge (1000m) at Muswellbrook on April 29 at his previous start and won the Cup Day Sprint (1000m) at Orange the start before.
The heavy track at Coonamble won’t pose a problem either, Ice Bucket winning one from two on heavy racing surfaces.
“His last couple of runs were good, pretty solid,” Kehoe added. “With a bit more luck he probably should have won all three.
“He can either lead or sit off them. We’ll just see what happens.”
