Century on home turf beckons Kennedy

[Wandering Eyes]

Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy has his sights set on producing 100 winners on his home track and he’s hoping to edge closer to that milestone at Wingatui on Friday.

Kennedy has 88 wins at Wingatui to his credit and has a formidable team of six entered for Friday’s meeting which is set to be run on a soft track. 

Spearheading his team is Burgundy seven-year-old mare Anjameme in the feature Dunedin City Ford 1600.

“She’s going good races but in her last two races, she’s lugged out the whole way. Lisa Allpress (jockey) couldn’t steer her that well at Riccarton last time and she said to put the blinkers on her,” Kennedy said.

“We’ve put a different bit on her and the blinkers and that’s seemed to have done the trick. She’s not the best legged horse and that’s where some of her issues lie as well but she’s running straight in her trackwork and she’s working well. 

“Hopefully she runs straight. If she does, she’ll be very hard to beat.”

The Wingatui track had been in the dead range before this week’s snow in Otago which has seen conditions downgraded to a Slow7 leading into the meeting.

“It was white on Monday and pretty cold but the track’s not too bad and that won’t worry her anyway. She’s got a good barrier draw which should help too,” Kennedy said.

“With the blinkers on, she should race in the first half of the field so hopefully she can capitalise on that.”

Kennedy’s other runners at the meeting are Jessie’s Rock, Sadler’s Lass and Back Hut, who clash in the race aptly named the Thanks Terry & Deb From Green Island Grizzlies 1600, while Kernay and Rowan Road round out the team.

“Sadler’s Lass just didn’t cop the track at Riccarton but didn’t go badly either and back to this grade, she should be a good chance,” Kennedy said.

“Back Hut went a good race last start and should go well but with Jessie’s Rock, you’ve just got to take your chances with him. If he likes the track, he’ll run well but if he doesn’t he won’t try.

“Kerany got galloped on last start so that’s why we haven’t seen her for a while. She races well at Wingatui and well fresh. She should be a good chance.” 

Home track advantage has served Kennedy well in the past.

“I love racing at Wingatui and I’d like to get to 100 wins on the track this season if I could,” he said.

“There’s no travel, so less expenses for the owners and easier on the horse so a lot of upside from racing here for us. I’ve got some nice chances in this week to win my way closer.”

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