Roweiner Ready to Bounce Back in Classic

Wulguru trainer Bill Kenning hasn’t wavered in his belief that classy youngster Roweiner’s Dance can claim him a second victory in the $100,000 Lawrence & Hanson QTIS 2YO Classic at Cluden Park tomorrow.

Kenning said the Sidestep gelding had bounced back from a last start defeat in the 1200m Prelude by chief rival Bush Diamond and was “fighting fit” for the north’s richest juvenile event

The former jockey turned trainer won the 2013 Classic – known then as the Parry Nissan Great Northern – with Maconachie but rated Roweiner’s Dancer a more brilliant individual.

“This is the grand final. I wouldn’t like to back anything to beat him, it’s hard to be 100 per cent certain -  it’s 1200m and a good field – but he’ll be turning up to the races spot on,” Kenning said.

“It rolled him for a couple of days that hard run last time. He got over it and he’s back on track and back to his fighting weight and I can’t really fault him in any way.

“When he was tardy away last start I knew we were in trouble, he just used up too much.

“He’s got a paddock and after the run he had three or four days just doing nothing, paddock during the day and back in his box at night. 

“Since then he’s been going to the beach and doing what he normally does. He doesn’t go to the track much - he just rocks up race day. He gets a bit fizzy but it works so we’ll just keep doing that.”

“He was right to run 1200m in the Prelude but just had a hard run. He’s going to the races like he was the other day and ridden quieter I think he’ll be right in it.

“Really at end of the day if something wanted to lead and he sat second it wouldn’t be a biggie.”

Kenning and partner Julie Bell bred and race Roweiner’s Dancer who has won six of his nine starts and grabbed widespread attention when he broke the 1000m Cluden track record on May 5.

The powerful gelding then stepped out in the Classic Prelude over 1200m for the first time on May 19 and after setting a hot speed was run down late with his 61kg by arch Classic rival Bush Diamond.

Under the set weights conditions of the Classic, Roweiner’s Dance will drop to 57kg and meet Bush Diamond 3kg better and other leading hopes Bold Comic and Shamedy on equal terms.

Kenning also has another ace up his sleeve, the booking of Townsville premiership jockey Lacey Morrison.

“Lacey got a feel for him when he won with 61kg a few runs back beating Bush Diamond. He felt the weight that day too but she got him home and dropping back to 57kg she won’t know him.

“I think she’s had four rides for me and ridden three winners but she’s hard to get. You’re pretty confident when you’ve got her”

With a last start victory over Roweiner’s Dance and the score at one win a piece, the Clinton Taylor-trained Bush Diamond, raced by late Rockhampton grazier and well-known racing identity Alan Acton and his wife Jennifer, once again looms as a major rival.

But the two star youngsters will face some fierce opposition.

The strong southern contingent also includes a runner trained by Taylor’s father Garnett in the shape of Bold Comic, bred and raced by Graham and Robin Cleary, and a winner of two of his three starts.

Successful Rockhampton-based trainer Graeme Green will also tackle the Classic with last start winner Shamedy while champion trainer Roy Chillemi, who has won multiple Classics, will saddle up Turn Bird and The Wallet in the field of 13 runners.

The Classic is the final event on tomorrow’s six-event card and is set to start at 4.46pm.

Pictured: Roweiner's Dance and gun hoop Lacey Morrison beating Bush Diamond at Cluden in April. They reunite for tomorrow's $100,000 2YO Classic.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.