Kenning hopes he has Star in the wet
BILL Kenning has seen it all when it comes to the racetrack, but even he will be stepping into the unknown at Cluden Park today.
Exciting gelding Star Banner will be second up after a narrow runner-up finish last week, but will start on a wet track for the first time.
With rain falling across the region, Cluden Park will host its first wet winter meeting in years. Despite an expected heavy surface, Kenning said he would give his four-year-old sprinter a run over the 1000m.
The wily trainer has little choice as he eyes off an improbable inclusion in the Cleveland Bay Handicap next month.
Star Banner, who has had to overcome joint issues over the past six months, has a rating in the high 60s and anything less than a win today will likely leave him out of contention for the feature sprint.
“You would like to think he was up to a race like the Cleveland Bay, but his ratings are still down,” Kenning said.
“When I got him, he was at rock-bottom, and even with a win (today), he will still only be low 70s. I think he is a smart horse, and if (he gets into the Cleveland Bay) with a low weight, he could do something in that race.”
But first he has to show his ability in the soft ground when the gelding jumps from the outside barrier six in the Brown Brothers 0-65 Handicap (1000m).
Star Banner was one of the region’s best last year when he won four straight, before fetlock injuries forced the gelding off the track for most of the start of the year. The four-year-old has had only two races since December 5.
His lack of recent runs has not deterred the bookmakers, opening as a $2 favourite with betting agency Ladbrokes.
But Kenning warned punters should still take a cautious approach.
“If I was a punter, I wouldn’t be jumping into him straight away because of the wet track and I respect that top weight (Dunatun). It has come from Melbourne with really good form,” he said.
“(Star Banner) raced all right in his first start back. If he can handle the wet, I expect he will be right up there.”
Fellow Townsville trainer Garry Dickson will also be keeping one eye on the heavens this morning, as he weighs up whether to scratch five-year-old Funky Music.
While he admits the gelding is “no superstar”, Dickson said he has been impressed by the commitment since he joined the stable from New South Wales earlier this year.
Funky Music has picked up a win and a place from six starts since coming to Townsville and was only half a length off the win, despite finishing fifth last start.
It sets him up nicely for a good showing in the TSV CUP TICKETS - ON SALE NOW Class 6 Plate over 1200m.
“He has his own problems; he can get a bit short (in his work) sometimes, but he is an honest little bugger,” Dickson said.
“I haven’t put any plans in for him yet; I think we have to take it one race at a time.
“He will be a good place chance today, but it is a hard race. I also don’t know what he is like in the wet; he might have some experience, but I haven’t seen it.
“If it gets too wet, I probably won’t start him.”