Kelinni Impresses In Barrier Trial

2013 Melbourne Cup contender Kelinni impressed with a strong barrier trial performance over 1200 metres at Warwick Farm this morning.

Kelinni

Kelinni was impressive in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm this morning as he works towards a return to the races. Photo by: Steve Hart

Kelinni was ridden close to the speed by jockey Hugh Bowman and finished strongly, despite being kept under a heavy hold, to finish second behind Tagus with a revved up Cantonese third.

It was the second striking trial result for Kelinni this preparation after he performed well in a barrier at Rosehill Gardens last Monday.

Stablemate Sacred Flyer was the other horse in the race to catch the eye as he made up ground from the back of the field to finish in fourth.

Kelinni has not been seen at the races since being beaten as favourite in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick during the 2013 Autumn Racing Carnival.

Despite failing at the end of his campaign, the Refuse To Bend gelding had an impressive autumn that highlighted by a gutsy victory carrying the top weight of 60 kilos in the Listed Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) and credible performances at weight-for-age level in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and the Group 1 The BMW (2400m).

The imported stayer burst onto the Australian racing scene during the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival with a progressive campaign that concluded with a victory in the Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) and a surprise fourth place finish in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

The Melbourne Cup will be the major 2013 Spring Racing Carnival target for Kelinni but trainer Chris Waller is yet to confirm what path the five-year-old will take to the ‘race that stops a nation’.

John Thompson-trained Tremec, who won the Group 2 Chairman’s (2600m) at Randwick in April, was given another quiet trial at the tail of the field while Golden Rose (1400m) contender Criterion was a late scratching from the field.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.