3 minute read
Wulguru trainer Bill Kenning is confident home-bred gelding Roweiner's Dance can continue on his winning way in the Cluden Park QTIS 2YO Handicap over 1000 metres at Townsville on Saturday.
Roweiner's Dance, by Sidestep out of a mare Roweiner who was owned by Bill Kenning and partner Julie Bell, has recorded four wins and a second in his six starts to date.
He is firmly on track heading towards the $100,000 Great Northern 2Y0 Classic at Cluden Park in June.
The third foal from Roweiner is only the first to get to the track as the others were "only puny," according to Kenning.
"This bloke has a bit of size about him and has a good racing style although inclined to go too hard in the early stages," he said.
"I've put Lacey Morrison on him for Saturday to teach him a bit more about settling because if he is going to get the 1200 metres of the Classic he needs to learn a bit about racing a bit more conservative.
"The outside draw in the small field of six will suit him and give Lacey the choice of where she wants to place him.
"He's giving away a lot of weight to the others but that's not a real worry as he's a tough young bugger and will be in for a fight."
Kenning is having a sterling season with 13 wins to be second on the premiership table behind runaway leader Georgie Holt.
He has taken over the mantle of "King of the kids" at Cluden Park this season, having won eight races between Roweiner's Dance and his other Sidestep gelding Beau Rain.
Beau Rain is still suffering the effects of a fall after running second at Mackay, and Kenning said he would most likely miss the Classic.
The danger on Saturday appears to be the Spirit Of Boom juvenile Bush Diamond, trained by Clinton Taylor and having his first run since early in December.
Owned by the late Alan Acton and his wife, Bush Diamond won over 1000 metres at Mackay when ridden by Justin Stanley who will hand over the reins to leading hoop Ryan Wiggins on Saturday.
The only other chance appears to be the Roy Chillemi-trained Ready Boss, a winner at Cluden Park at his last start last week.
Ready Boss, by More Than Ready, is one of only two winners from the crop of 12 yearlings leviathan owner Tom Hedley purchased from the Magic Millions QTIS March sale last year.
Chillemi, last season's premiership trainer at Cluden Park, has won the past four Classics with Tyzone, Tennessee Boy, Palencia and the unbeaten Missile Thunder, still to reappear from surgery for bone chips and other leg problems during his winter spell.
