Kidmenever ready to roll

CHARLIE Appleby will seek more spring carnival silverware at Sandown on Saturday, eager to add to an already impressive haul.

The Godolphin trainer will nominate Kidmenever for the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) and Folkswood for the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m).

Dominant last season and successful again this year with Folkswood (Cranbourne Cup win and Cox Plate third) and Qewy (Bendigo Cup win), Appleby expects an improved performance from Kidmenever. The raider was a disappointing eighth in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on October 14 but Appleby is confident he can rebound.

“We’re going to drop him back in trip to the Eclipse,” he said. “We were disappointed in the Herbert Power but they went pretty quick.

“We’ve purposefully given him the time. What we saw in Dubai he had plenty of pace there for the 10 furlongs (2000m) so dropping back to the nine furlongs (1800m) won’t be a problem.”

Kidmenever was diagnosed with thumps and exercise-in- duced pulmonary haemorrhaging after his Australian debut, but Appleby said he had recovered.

“He’s surpassed all that. He’s been routinely vet checked all the way,” he said.

“He’s put good solid work in over the last three weeks so that’s not a concern at all.

“Going on to next weekend his work was solid on Saturday and it’s all systems go heading towards the Eclipse.”

Qewy will return to England and be sent to a Godolphin rehoming facility after his glittering career ended with a sixth in the Queen Elizabeth.

Winner of three of five Australian starts, Qewy also ran fourth in last season’s Melbourne Cup.

“We’re delighted with what he’s been able to achieve,” Appleby said. “He’s been a great campaigner.”