Rival trainers Michael Nolan and Kevin Kemp have done it all on their home track at Toowoomba but there’s room in the trophy cabinet for another Weetwood Handicap.
Kemp equalled the long standing record of the late Bill Nielsen to train four Weetwood winners when he claimed the 2014 Downs feature with Typhoon Red who edged out stablemate Kempelly.
Kemp, who is relying again on outsider Kempelly in the 1200-metre Listed feature on Saturday, also won the Weetwood with Startell in 2001 and Tellem in 2005 and 2007.
Nolan has won two Listed Weetwoods on the former cushion track with Miss Imagica in 2012 and 2013 and is aiming for a third with the diminutive Jumbo Prince (pictured).
Oddly, neither Nolan, whose greatest win was with Laurie’s Lottery in the 1999 Group 1 Doomben 10,000 nor Kemp will have a runner in this year’s Toowoomba Cup.
Nolan is “one-up” on Kemp in the Toowoomba Cup having won it with ‘Tis Love in 2001.
Jumbo Prince is the $7 second favourite in the Weetwood Handicap behind Sydney raider Coolring at $2.30 while Kempelly, who scrapped into the field from first emergency, is an $81 chance.
Kemp believes Kempelly’s price is way over the odds despite the gelding’s indifferent form lately.
“His run when he ran fourth four starts back at Doomben was terrific and he’s struck hard tracks at his last three runs,” Kemp said.
“He’s on his home track this time and there’s always a bit of give in it which suits him.
“I’m hoping you’ll see a much better run and I’ve made a few gear chances by putting blinkers back on with a tongue-tie.
“He’s big odds but he’s a better chance than that.”
Jumbo Prince is launching his winter carnival campaign in the Weetwood and will be ridden by Michael Cahill who won the Weetwood in 2006 on the Maryann Brosnan-trained October Grey.
Nolan claimed last year’s Toowoomba Guineas with Jumbo Prince who went on to be placed in the Group 1 Queensland Derby last June.
A winner of nine of his 28 starts, Jumbo Prince has not raced since finishing ninth to Tinto in the Magic Millions Trophy (1800m) at the Gold Coast in January.
Although 1200 metres appears short of his best distance, the son of Outback Prince started his last campaign with a victory over the trip at Doomben last October.
His first-up record also is significant with three wins and a second from five attempts.
– Racing Queensland
