Allan Kehoe is confident his locally trained duo Dragon Dream and Lord Bob can both figure in the finish in their respective races at Sunday’s Wyong Family Fun Day meeting.
Kehoe is enjoying a good season, having trained six winners to date, just two short of his total in 2021/22, with an impressive place ratio of 42 percent.
His latest win came on Monday when promising three-year-old Bring The Rabble, brought up his third successive win from just four starts.
Following a period of self doubt 18 months go having moved back to Wyong from Port Macquarie, Kehoe has now rebuilt his team and is reaping the rewards.
“It got the point not long after we moved back that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to train anymore,” he said. “My head wasn’t in the game and I got rid of all the horses bar about four. I went to work for Tim Boland breaking in horses and just raced a couple but after four months I decided to give it another go.”
Kehoe now has around 40 horses on his books, 18 in work and rotates them between his boxes at Wyong and his property, just five minutes from the track.
He has new clients on his books and is excited about the prospects of several of his younger brigade.
“It took me a while to get it right, swapping them out between the track and the farm. Some thrive at the farm and others just come out for a few days after they have raced.
“It seems to be working. As well as the six winners we’ve had 21 placings, so things are ticking over nicely.”
Lord Bob is one of the team who has responded well to the farm and Kehoe believes he is a strong chance in Sunday’s 1350m Midway Maiden.
The Office Bearer four-year-old has had just two starts, having proved a handful for his previous trainer and part-owner Nicole Hudson.
“He was more interested in bucking than racing and Nicole gave him to me to try and straighten out. It was a challenge but he’s changed his ways and is in a good space now. I think this is a winnable race for him.
“He’s been at the farm since his last start in Port and has grown a leg. I’ve put the winkers on and his work has been great. He’s never looked better and I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t figure in the finish.
“The extra distance will also suit. I’ll give him a few weeks off after this and I think he’s the type of horse who can come back and win two or three in a row.”
Kehoe’s stable stalwart Dragon Dream is a likely starter in the 2100m BM64, weather dependant, and he gives the five-year-old a strong chance.
“I really think he’s ready to win. He didn’t tough it out over the 1900m at Canterbury on New Years Day, but he’s been working well since.
“He’s drawn well and I think Mitch Bell will really suit him. I am toying with starting him at Canterbury Friday night because he likes to get his toe into the ground. Hopefully they can both run at their best if he starts at Wyong and finish top three.”
The first of seven races gets underway at 1pm, with the track currently rate a good 4 and the rail in the true position.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 1pm: BOOK YOUR NET FUNCTION AT WYONG RACE CLUB CLASS 1 (1100m): 1 CHIPPER, 2 Zanzibar Gem, 3 Oxford Vision, 4 Justina.
Race 2 – 1.35pm: PRESILIENT – MANAGED IT SERVICES PROVINCIAL BM64 (1000m): 1 ZENTI, 2 Aspen Chase, 3 Brudenell, 4 Perfect Style.
Race 3 – 2.10pm: ABCOE CENTRAL COAST MIDWAY MAIDEN (1350m): 1 SHIGERU, 2 Lord Bob, 3 Edgewise, 4 Cubed.
Race 4 – 2.45pm: BIDFOOD MAIDEN (1100m): 1 MISS ADAMAS, 2 Lim’s Synergy, 3 Choix De La Mer, 4 Boston City.
Race 5 – 3.20pm: GIBBOS PIES MAIDEN (1600m): 1 COMPETITION, 2 Smartawi, 3 More Saintly, 4 Melanin.
Race 6 – 3.55pm: COAST & COUNTRY MEATS WYONG BM64 (1600m): 1 BEL SUONO, 2 Ausbred Blue Bird, 3 Test The Waters, 4 Crowned By Aces.
Race 7 – 4.35pm: WYONG’S NEXT RACE MEETING BJ HOWES METALAND RACE DAY FEBRUARY 21 BM64 (2100m): 1 ENDORPHINS, 2 Hide Your Heart, 3 Dragon Dream, 4 Nyota.
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