By Ray Hickson
Trainer Peter Robl will make a slight gear change on Mr Kennedy in an effort to secure a breakthrough win at Wyong on Wednesday that has been a long time coming for the six-year-old gelding.
Mr Kennedy was a $1.8million yearling in 2016 and made his debut in Hong Kong before a three-year absence from the track. He has been placed in both runs for Robl, who has opted for the visor to make the speedy galloper more aware of potential challengers.
Peter Robl is edging closer to a breakthrough with Mr Kennedy.Credit:Getty
Mr Kennedy was run down by Super Freds at his last start at Wyong January 7 and is out to go one better in the Sky Racing Handicap (1000m).
“He’s definitely close to a win. He’s improved every run fitness-wise and on the education side of things,” he said. “He’s really knocking on the door, and I think he will keep improving. I thought with the blinkers on the other day he just treaded water.
“When he didn’t make the corner and couldn’t sense anything there, he came back and relaxed until the winner got to him and then he kicked again.”
The son of Fastnet Rock started out with the Hawkes stable before making his debut in Hong Kong in December 2019. He finished last and bled from one nostril, which prompted his eventual return to Australia. A couple of years later he found his way to Robl’s stable.
Robl expects Mr Kennedy to show his customary early speed and produce his best run so far when he heads to Wyong for a race restricted to Midway trainers, which eliminates the larger stables.
“It’s certainly a maiden he can be winning,” he said. “He’s a very quick horse early. I suspect he’ll do the same from a much better draw; he should find the fence and travel nicely. I think he still has a little improvement out of this run going forward.”
Meanwhile, Robl is just hopeful stablemate Cordyceps Eight can produce something in the Great Northern Handicap (1600m) in what could be his final run before entering quarantine to be shipped to Macau.
Supplied by Racing NSW
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