Charlton-O’Shea team chasing second breakthroughs at Canterbury

Not everything has gone Kenmare Bay’s way since he notched his maiden win in the first few weeks of the season, but co-trainer Tom Charlton hopes things finally fall into place at Canterbury on Wednesday.

A common theme among the horses Charlton and co-trainer John O’Shea have engaged at the meeting is that they are looking for that second breakthrough, and Kenmare Bay goes into the TAB Handicap (1900m) with six placings from eight starts since his lone win.

The gelding was runner-up in his first three runs this time in before a shock failure at Gosford on Anzac Day, but he bounced back with a run Charlton said had plenty of merit when third behind Ella Hazel at Kensington two weeks ago.

“One just crossed him early and lit him up a bit, and he over-raced through the mid stages, and probably got to a part of the track that wasn’t favourable,” Charlton said.

“It was a pretty credible effort and from a soft draw if things can unfold for him, and he can get things to go his way, there’s no reason why he can’t win.”

Stablemate Natural Deduction, who has two wins to his name, has his second run from a year’s absence in the same race with apprentice Jace McMurray taking 3kg off his top weight of 62kg.

He made ground late when resuming over a mile at Warwick Farm, and Charlton said he can be a big improver.

“He’s coming off a lengthy layoff, and his run was excellent the other day over an inferior trip,” he said. “He gets to a nice distance for him, and he can be competitive absolutely.”