Horse Racing

Written By: Perth Racing

It has been another highly entertaining Festival of Perth Racing, with the state’s riders once again displaying their exceptional talents in an absorbing battle for the 2009/10 Bio-John Frank Treen Medallion.

It was a new name to the fore this time, with rising talent Alan Kennedy making the medal his own in an awesome riding display throughout the festival.

With the support of Durrant Racing, one of the most powerful stables in the state, 20 year-old Kennedy burst out of the blocks to set-up a handy lead following victory in the $250 000 Group 2 Sky Channel WA Guineas aboard Clueless Angel.

This was followed up on Carlton Draught Railway Stakes Day with a riding treble that included wins in the Listed Tattersall’s Cup and WA Carbine Club Trophy, both for Adam Durrant.

Kennedy had a compulsory break on the sidelines owing to suspension, and missed Saturday meetings at Ascot on December 5, 12 and 19.

On his return to riding on Boxing Day, it all turned pear shaped with a duck egg returned from a strong book of rides, subsequent to partnering some well fancied runners for Durrant, nothing went right for Kennedy.

To the young man’s credit, he rode the bump, dusted himself off and prepared for one of the biggest days on the Perth Racing calendar, the BMW Perth Cup Day, with his sights firmly set on a big race success on Lords Ransom.

Kennedy made Cup day his own, delivering on the potential he had shown as one of the states’ leading apprentices.

It began with the first two winners on I’m Here To Win and Golden Heart, prior to snaring the two feature events, the $100 000 Listed Schweppes Summer Scorcher on Ma Ma Machine and the $400 000 Group 2 BMW Perth Cup on race favourite Lords Ransom.

It was an awesome big race ride on Lords Ransom, with the pressure of riding the favourite Kennedy was positive from the start and extricated himself off the rails at a vital stage to grab the biggest race win of his relatively new career in the saddle.

Kennedy carried the Bio-John Frank Treen Medallion Gold Leaders breeches throughout the competition and drew away to score an impressive Medal victory by eight points from last year’s winner Jason Whiting on 10 points.

In-form rider Shaun O’Donnell was equal third with improved young rider Steven Parnham on eight points.

Perth Racing would like to extend a thank-you to all the local and visiting riders that competed for Bio-John Frank Treen Medallion glory and the support they gave the new initiative of gold leaders breeches.

Once again it was fantastic to have the backing of local Belmont business Bio-John Animal Health. Bio-John have been a major participant in the horse industry, being the leading supplier to the thoroughbred racing industries.

http://www.bio-john.com.au

Final Leaderboard:

18. Alan Kennedy
10. Jason Whiting
8. Steven Parnham, Shaun O’Donnell
7. Damien Oliver
6. Craig Williams, Peter Hall, Troy Turner
5. Nash Rawiller, Dan Staeck
4. Paul Harvey, Patrick Carbery

Media Release issued by Marty Young, Media Executive Perth Racing

For more information please contact:

Josh Rodder
Ph. (08) 9277 0732