Stars Of Courage, the first winner of a two-year-old race in South Australia this season, is a family affair.
The two-year-old gelding was bred and is owned by brothers Adrian and David Kemp along with David’s wife Julie, sister of the trainer Ray Holberton. The ‘outsider’ in the success was driver Dani Hill.
On the strength of trial form, Stars Of Courage was sent out a $1.90 favourite in the Nevele R Stud 2YO Kindergarten Stakes Prelude (1800m) at Globe Derby Park.
He didn’t let his supporters down going straight to the front from gate four and winning by 14-1/2 metres from Hez A Chance ($8.70) with Redcourtella ($29.20) a further 3-1/2 metres away third.
What made the strength of Star Of Courage’s win was that he carried a flat tyre for the last 1000 metres and still sprinted up a final 200 metres in 28.9 seconds.
The Kemps hail from Allandale East in the South-East of South Australia and David and Julie were on course to see Star Of Courage’s debut.
“We purchased his mother Rigaleto Gold at a sale and she had ability winning a heat of the Southern Cross at her first start,” David Kemp said.
“But she suffered an injury and didn’t do a lot of racing.
“Her first foal is a three-year-old which hasn’t raced as we are giving him time.
“Star Of Courage is the second while the mare has two more foals but missed this year to Auckland Reactor.”
The two-year-old was broken in by the Kemps and sent to Holberton at Globe Derby Park to prepare for the two-year-old races.
Provided he has taken no harm from the run Star Of Courage will be aimed at the Kindergarten Stakes at Globe Derby Park on February 20.
