Kalychurun gets started at Winton
Vaughan eyes possible cup bid for Our Bee Jay
Former Northland apprentice Kevin Kalychurun has three rides at the Winton Jockey Club’s Cup meeting tomorrow.
He transferred his apprenticeship from Ruakaka trainer Donna Logan to Wingatui horseman Terry Kennedy this month and started work with the Otago licence holder yesterday.
Kalychurun’s mounts at Winton are Lofty Lad (McHugh Building Maiden), Ri’Gah Brook (Top End Takeaways Maiden) and Kung Fu Panda (Cup Day Fashion in the Field Maiden).
Lofty Lad and Kung Fu Panda are in the six-horse team trainer Sally McKay will take to the meeting. She is looking for a better run from Gallivant in the Chilton Shearing Handicap.
McKay believes changing Gallivant’s feed contributed to the gelding fading to fifth at Wingatui on November 6. His feed has been changed back.
Lining up against Gallivant is stablemate Just Frank, who was checked badly at the 350m at Wingatui.
Christchurch jockey Chris Johnson will be seeking to win the Winton Cup for the fifth time tomorrow. He is booked to ride Winton galloper King Prawn.
Johnson’s Winton Cup wins have been with Justice Day (2008), Bashful Lady (1996), Tartan Tights (1995) and Sequel Sound (1992).
St Reims mare Lady Burlesque makes her southern debut in the Travellers Rest Tavern Handicap tomorrow.
Matamata trainer Andrew Scott prepared Lady Burlesque for a win and a third in eight eights.
She joined Leda Beck’s Winton team during the winter and won a trial by two lengths at Riverton on November 3.
The 10-race programme at Winton starts at 12.15pm tomorrow. The connections of Our Bee Jay are considering him for the Wellington Cup meeting in January.
He is worthy of a trip to the capital after gaining a win and a second at the New Zealand Cup carnival at Riccarton last week.
Our Bee Jay, who is owned by Ascot Park trainer Lisa Vaughan and Southland rugby great Simon Culhane, finished stoutly in both starts at Riccarton.
With Sam Spratt riding, the sixyear-old ran second in a $40,000 open 2000m on Wednesday.
Opie Bosson rode him to victory in a $30,000 rating 85 benchmark 1800m on Saturday. Earnings from both starts totalled $26,150.
Vaughan said yesterday Our Bee Jay would contest a $25,000 open handicap at the Southland Racing Club’s Christmas meeting at Ascot Park on December 15.
A $25,000 open handicap at Wingatui on Boxing Day is also on his agenda.
Good performances at those meetings would probably cement plans to campaign Our Bee Jay at the Wellington Cup carnival on January 19, 21 and 26.
Vaughan is interested in starting Our Bee Jay in the Wellington Cup on January 26.
Stablemate Petty Lane ran creditable races on the second and third days of the New Zealand Cup carnival. She will also start at Ascot Park on December 15.
Meanwhile, Ascot Park trainer Sean Bellew has scratched Peter Richard at Winton tomorrow, with the 10-year-old nursing a cut heel.
He was retired during the winter, but Bellew decided to try him again after being unable to find a suitable home for him.
Stand Up (three wins) will soon join Bellew’s stable after racing for Hawera trainer Anna Clement. Seven-year-old Stand Up ran third of six starters at Hawera on November 5.