Toowoomba trainer Kevin Kemp has elected to go with a three kilogram-claiming apprentice on exciting filly Plumaro when she makes her city debut at Doomben.
The appearance of Plumaro in the Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200m) will be one of the highlights of Saturday’s card.
Apprentice Nick Keal rode Plumaro when she won her first start at Toowoomba by 9-1/4 lengths but he does not have a metropolitan licence.
Kemp was keen to get a senior rider for Pumaro but in the end went with experienced apprentice Jag Guthmann-Chester who can still claim 3kg in the metropolitan area.
“I was thinking of a senior rider but then I saw the nominations were only small and I was worried about what weight she might get,” Kemp said.
“She isn’t big yet and I didn’t want to lump her with a huge weight.
“Jag as ridden for me a bit and he is an apprentice on the rise. He will get the job done.”
Plumaro received 55.5kg with Guthmann-Chester’s declared riding weight 53kg.
Kemp has high hopes for Plumaro who is by sire-of-the-moment Spirit of Boom but isn’t getting too carried away.
“With two-year-olds you are always cautious but she is handy,” he said.
Kemp will have another smart horse, Mr Marbellouz, at either Doomben or Toowoomba on Friday.
Mr Marbellouz has won three of his four starts and is entered for the Class Three Plate (1050m) at Doomben.
Guthmann-Chester has been booked to ride him as well from barrier one and he is likely to start in Brisbane.
He won his first start since a spell by three lengths at Toowoomba and Kemp believes he is ready for Saturday class.
“He is another I have high hopes for,” Kemp said.
