A horse that I have been waiting to see step out again is Kelbenjar from the Natalie McCall team on the Sunshine Coast. Nat has a nice little team together with River Lad also in the stable, but I have a feeling this guy may be the best of them.
Kelbenjar has had a few things against him this preparations, but has continued to run well. Two starts ago he reared at the start and missed it about 10 lengths. Last start was the Gold Coast Guineas and he jumped on the bunny and led them at a good clip. He was going that well that Cahill decided to stay on the fence, but that was inferior ground and they ran him down late. “We were wrapped with him, obviously he was in the worst part of the track and he was only beaten 2.8L.” McCall said.
There is rain predicted on Friday again, but as the clever sunny coast trainer explains, that is no concern to the camp. “He won his second start here at Caloundra on a bog and he gets through it fine. That is actually why the horse stayed to the fence last start as he was getting through it so well.”
Another good point that chatted with Nat about was the fact that Triple Honour also stuck to the fence in the Hollindale and they were similar runs even though over different distances. Triple Honour has since come out and ran well in the Doomben Cup. Also the fact that this race although looking ok, was probably not as strong as you would expect this time of the year. Maija Vance will be on board and take 3kg off, so he will carry a respectable 56kg.
River Lad is also going well and will head towards the Rockhampton Newmarket. After that he will probably head to the Glasshouse 1400m at Caloundra, but that will be assessed closer to the race.
Both horses are worth following and I for one will be cheering for Nat. She is great to chat with and deserves a win over the carnival for sure.
