Ready to upstage his more fancied rivals

28 May 2022 | HRNSW MEDIA
Logo
Rocknroll Runa the winner of the TAB Regional Championships Riverina Final.

Rocknroll Runa the winner of the TAB Regional Championships Riverina Final.

DRIVING for luck has worked out reasonably well so far, so why change tactics?

That's the theory from trainer Keith Kenna ahead of Saturday night's Regional Championships State Final at Club Menangle.

Kenna will represented in the Group One by consistent pacer, Barrett, which earned his position in the field with an eye-catching third in last week's Riverina Final.

Barrett made his way into the provincial decider thanks to his second behind Western Style in his heat.

Thrilled with Barrett's performances, Kenna is quietly confident the Australian Pacing Gold purchase is ready to upstage his more fancied rivals.

"I'm rapt to have him in the Final," Kenna said. "He's been a good horse for us.

"He came from Sydney and I didn't expect much from him, but he must be enjoying our training methods and lifestyle in the paddock as he's doing really well.

"It was a good drive in the Final by Drew (son) who said he'd go to the fence and hope to get sucked along, which is what happened...he only went around one horse!"

To be driven by Drew again, Barrett has drawn awkwardly in barrier eight over 2300 metres.

"He's not a horse you can use up early and got to be saved for one sprint," Kenna said.

"We've got to hope there is a bit of speed on and he is given the chance to come home as well as he can.

"There's a bit of class in the field, so hopefully that sees them run at a reasonable tempo from the outset."

Barrett is one of two APG representatives in the $100,000 major, with Rockin With Elvis facing a tough time from the outside of the front row.

Prepared by Brad Hewitt, Rockin With Elvis was runner-up in last weekend's Metro Final at Club Menangle.

"He's been very consistent this time in and I was rapt with his run last Saturday night," Hewitt said.

"The draw hasn't done us any favours, but with the right run they will know he is there."

 

Related News

20 April 2024
Sue knows Tom will be watching his top colt from above
There’ll be a little nod to the heavens if short-priced favourite Bay Of Biscay can salute in tonight’s Nutrien Equine Classic Final for three-year-old colts and geldings. The Emma Stewart-trained youngster was the last horse raced by legendary owner, breeder and bookmaker Tom Hogan before...
20 April 2024
An emotional Wave takes the Nullarbor
BRILLIANT Victorian raider Catch A Wave gave superstar driver Kate Gath the most satisfying win of her stellar career in last night's $1.25mil Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park. And the five-year-old gelding, who had already won a Miracle Mile, smashed through the $2 million prize money barrier...
19 April 2024
Its Confidential living up to her mum's lofty standards
Speak No Evil’s racetrack career finished on the highest of highs, and after some early misfortune as a mother, we’re finally starting to witness her class as a broodmare. The top pacer took her career record to 16 wins from 29 starts with victory in the Group 1 Queen Of The Pacific during...
19 April 2024
Fate Awaits could make the Leap to glory
Leviathan owner Kevin Seymour knows the comparisons are inevitable. About the only “downside” of racing a megastar like Leap To Fame is that every exciting horse you have afterwards will be compared to him.
19 April 2024
2023 Australian Horse of the Year Awards – Live Announcement on SKY1
2023 Australian Horse of the Year Awards – Live Announcement on SKY1 Announcement of the 2023 Australian Horse of the Year Awards takes on a new look this year thanks to the team at SKY Racing. All of the national Pacer and Trotter of the Year categories and overall winners will be announced during...
Click for more