Kevin Kemp is hoping his recent move into the Toowoomba stables of Australian Hall of Fame trainer, the late Jim Atkins, will pave the way for his first Group winner at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Kemp was a great admirer and student of Atkins, 94, who died in 2010.
Atkins, who started training at Toowoomba in the 1930s, dominated Queensland racing for more than half a century winning four Queensland training premierships with a host of top gallopers including Dalrello, winner of the 1975 Doncaster Handicap, 1986 AJC Oaks winner Just Now and Grey Affair, winner of the Doomben, Brisbane and Queensland Cups.
He also trained Prince Ruling who was runner-up to Kingston Town in the 1980 Cox Plate and trained three Queensland Derby winners in Amby’s Love, Mr. Cromwell and Intrepid Clipper.
Kemp has 26 horses in Atkins’ stables and hopes to celebrate the move with Jack’s Back in the Group Three Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
“I never worked for Jim but I was a mate of his for many years,” Kemp said.
“He once told me, about 30 years ago, that the only way you can win a race in Brisbane was to keep taking horses there.
“It paid off for him so I’m hoping his luck will rub off on me now that I’ve moved into his stables.”
Kemp has won four Listed races during his 30-year training career but is still looking for his maiden Group victory.
“I’ve won three Weetwoods and a Glasshouse Sprint but my best result in a Group race was with Tellem when he ran third in the (Group Two) Sir Byrne Hart Stakes (in 2007),” he said.
Kemp has had a lean time in the Brisbane metropolitan area this season but is confident Jack’s Back can break the drought.
“I’ve had plenty of winners around my area of late and I had a Wednesday winner in Brisbane not long ago but it’s been too long since I last trained a Saturday winner,” he said.
Jack’s Back earned a shot at Group company with his last-start sixth to Morning Captain in the Listed Queensland Day Plate (1350m) at Doomben on April 14.
“He’s been crying out for ground and should be very strong at the finish again,” Kemp said.
“I’ve struggled to get the same rider on him at his past couple of runs and it’s a plus Jim Byrne is riding him again.”
Kemp has nominated Jack’s Back for the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9 but will let the three-year-old tell him whether he’s up to top company.
“He’s never been further than 1350 metres but he’s been finishing off his races like he wants ground,” he said.
