Kirabo’s break pays off
JUST over a year in the paddock has done wonders for gelding Kirabo.
Previously trained by perennial premiership winner Roy Chillemi, the six-year-old spent the best part of 2018 away from the racetrack, only returning in the last few days of November.
Now in the yard of Townsville trainer Alby Molino, Kirabo collected career win number five at Atherton on Saturday afternoon, his first since September 2017.
With the volume of horses that are purchased and sent through the Chillemi stable in Tolga, Molino says there was no specific reason for the long break between race starts, but the lay-off has helped the geld- ing. With visiting jockey Scott Sheargold on board and carrying 61.5kg, Kirabo put in a stylish run at Morrow Park Race Track to claim the $7450 Class 4 Handicap (1000m) by two lengths.
“There was no real reason for it. Other new horses just kept coming along and he was forgotten about for a while,” Molino said.
“The time out, he may have needed it.
“Roy always saw something in him. He must have thought there was more wins in him otherwise they would not have worried about him.
“I think there is a few more wins in him.”
The gelding went within half a length of winning firstup from the year long break, finishing second over 1050m at Mackay in late November of last year.
The Cluden Park trainer will now set Kirabo for a Benchmark 65 in Townsville on Australia Day 1200m.
“His first run was very good and this time, get this one in the country that is a bit easier for him,” Molino said.
“It worked out good for him.”
Meanwhile, the small stable of Mareeba trainer Jenny Ball had a day out, scoring a winner and a second from two starters.
Mare Inverness Express claimed her second win in the Benchmark 50 Handicap (1400m) to finish the five race card while Rothesay Magic put in another encouraging run in the Class B Handicap, running two lengths behind Grazie Mille Bella.