Amenzel is flying under Kelly’s care
GOLD Coast trainer Les Kelly has added to his record of turning horses around and he’s looking to take a transformed Amenzel to Brisbane.
Amenzel won his second race in three runs under Kelly when he took out the Class 4 Handicap (1200m) by a length at Aquis Park with jockey Ryan Plumb aboard on Saturday.
The five-year-old Snitzel gelding broke a 21-year class record in the run, clocking a time of 1:08.90.
Amenzel arrived at Kelly’s Gold Coast stables in November with a record of two wins from 17 starts.
Part-owner and former jockey Julie Overell, whose family share a close bond with Kelly, asked the trainer to take the horse on after Brisbane-based Trevor Rogers fell ill and was forced to return to Melbourne for treatment.
Amenzel’s final race before making the switch was at the Gold Coast in a race that Kelly had Baggio engaged in before he was scratched.
Kelly was impressed by Amenzel but has worked tirelessly to fix a foot problem that was holding him back.
With the issue improving Kelly knew the talented gelding could find more success.
“He’s a horse that came to me with really bad feet,” Kelly said.
“We have worked around the clock on his feet and he just keeps improving.
“His feet are wrapped all the time and the farrier Mark O’Leary has done a good job.”
Amenzel ($2.70) jumped well on Saturday and led down the straight to win with some fuel still in the tank from Go The Gantry ($7) and Viaductress ($2.60 fav).
“Ryan said he still had a bit up his sleeve as well,” Kelly said.
Kelly said he was looking at taking Amenzel to race in Brisbane in a fortnight.
Amenzel was one of two horses that Kelly has turned around to find success on Saturday.
In form five-year-old gelding Desmon’s Pride recorded his fifth win of his current preparation in the Class 6 Handicap (1350m) at Doomben with apprentice jockey Boris Thornton in the saddle.
“He is a really good little horse,” Kelly said.
“In the next few days we will decide whether we give him one more run or turn him out.
“He keeps improving.” Desmon’s Pride has now won seven of his 20 starts.
WE HAVE WORKED AROUND THE CLOCK ON HIS FEET AND HE JUST KEEPS IMPROVING LES KELLY