Kenning Duo Primed for Guineas Day Test

Wulguru trainer Bill Kenning is confident his stable’s “brothers in arms”  Beau Rain and Roweiner’s Dance are peaking for a crack at a feature race double on Magic Millions Guineas Day at Cluden Park on Sunday.  

The two Sidestep three-year-olds have been a dominant force in juvenile racing at Cluden for two seasons but face their toughest test to date on Day 2 of the Townsville winter carnival.

Beau Rain will line-up as a leading local hope in the $75,000 Magic Millions Guineas (1609m) and Roweiner’s Dance will face off with top flight sprinters in the Global Welding Supplies Lightning (1000m).

Kenning, who prepares his two crack geldings with partner Julie Bell,  can’t fault his two young guns who have between them won 15 races and over $300,000 in prizemoney.

“For two years they’ve been stablemates and they’ve competed with each other a fair bit and they’ve been terrific for us,” Kenning said.

“To go to the races on the same day to be live chances in two features - you’d be happy to come away with something.

“They’re in tough races but they’re both spot on and going well.”

Beau Rain has had a text book preparation for Sunday’s feature and looks to have finally shrugged off a case of “stage fright” after a serious fall in Mackay almost ended his career early last year.

Unbeaten in his first three starts, which included a win over Roweiner’s Dance, Beau Rain crashed heavily to the turf after finishing second and suffered injuries to his poll and withers.

The gelding had a long, slow recovery from his physical injuries, but has taken much longer to regain his confidence in races according to Kenning.

A strong third to fellow Guineas hope Sweet Kisses in the Townsville Dollars over 1400m on July 7 and a fighting win over 1300m at Cluden last Saturday showed he was getting his form back on track.

“Last week was a good conditioning run for the mile and it was good to see him put his head out and have a crack because it’s been a while - six or seven runs between wins,” Kenning said.

“He needed a confidence booster - he was a train wreck after that fall.

“I didn’t realise it affected him so much because when you work him with another horse he’s as good as gold but come race day he’d just lose it in a field.

“He suffered from stage fright. It’s taken him that long and he’s probably still not over it yet, but that’s the first time he’s half raced without thinking that he’s going to get knocked down I think. 

“It’s all gone to plan. He placed in the dollars over 1400m, back to the 1300m last weekend and now up to a mile. So, it’s spot on.

“I’m sure he’ll run the mile out. He’s drawn a bad alley but we’ll have to get going out of the barriers and try and get a sit just off the lead with a bit of luck.”

Kenning, fresh from a winning double at Cluden last Saturday, has rebooked premier jockey Lacey Morrison for Beau Rain after her win on him last weekend.

And he’s gone to the top shelf for Roweiner’s Dance as well, booking leading jockey Justin Stanley for the Lightning.

The stable’s confidence took a slight hit with a wide draw in barrier 11 but Kenning is banking on the gelding’s brilliant record of nine wins from 13 starts over the Cluden 1000m to be in his favour.

“He’s won from out there against 2 and 3yo class but it’s a bit different when you’re in a Lightning against a serious field like that,” he said.

“You’ve got to go forward but if he can’t lead on his own and he wants to be one of two back I’ll be happy with that.

“He’s been a very good horse for us and despite the draw he’ll run very well.”

Popular Townsville trainer Joanna Hassett is putting two agonisingly close defeats behind her with the under-rated  Majestic Wings as she tackles the Aquis Belle of the Burdekin (1400m).

Majestic Wings will carry bottom weight of 54.5kg against a classy line-up of mares but goes into the $50,000 feature with two narrow seconds – the latest at the hands of Belle rival Lady Rain in last week’s Ladies Day Bracelet.

Hassett said the stable was hoping Majestic Wings, who joined the stable from country NSW in June, could clinch a win before going to the breeding barn.

“Her owner John Kennedy brought her up here and wants to breed with her. It would be good if we jagged one before she goes to the stallion in September,” Hassett said.

“I think the 1400m on Sunday will suit her better than the 1300m last week so if we time our run well she’ll be firing in that last 100m.

“It’s just the wide barrier. As long as we get away cleanly and get a bit of cover hopefully luck will be on our side. There’s 13 other good mares in the race so it’s a tough race but we’re delighted to be in it.”

“It was so close last week to be beaten a nose. If I got a dollar from everyone who said I thought we won I’d be almost retiring. It was real heart in your mouth kind of finish, but I’m just really happy that she’s putting in and loving her racing.”

Pictured: Beau Rain (inside) fights hard to beat the wayward Reliable Witness at Cluden last weekend in a final lead-up for Sunday's Guineas.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.