Richard Jolly has been trying to win one of Adelaide’s feature races for 30 years, firstly as a jockey in the last 20 years as a trainer.
Richard Jolly says victory in The Goodwood would tick off one of his ‘bucket list’ races on the South Australian calendar.
Along with his daughter Chantelle, Jolly saddles Kemalpasa in Saturday’s sprint at Morphettville, one of only four Group 1 races run in Adelaide.
Jolly has been trying to win The Goodwood for almost 30 years, firstly as a jockey and since 2000 as a trainer.
Unfortunately weight restricted Jolly’s Goodwood rides while he’s had a number of placings in the race as a trainer, including Stirling Grove’s third behind Black Caviar in 2011.
“It’s one of the biggest races of the year in Adelaide and we only have the four Group 1’s now and it’s certainly one on the bucket list to win,” Jolly said.
Kemalpasa, to be ridden by Jake Toeroek, who has been aboard in eight of the sprinter’s 12 wins, enters Saturday’s race coming off victory in the R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 17.
It will be four weeks between runs, but Jolly is unconcerned.
“The horse is well and he’s had four weeks between runs previously and won, so that’s no issue.
“He’s a very consistent horse and I think he’s a winning chance.”
There is a strong representation of local sprinters in Saturday’s race including Behemoth, Gytrash and Instant Celebrity.
Jolly said the banter among rival trainers has been kept to a minimum as they concentrate on preparing their charges to peak on the day.
“Once the race gets a bit closer there could be, but no-one’s really worried about ribbing each other yet,” Jolly said.
“It’s good that the leading chances are all South Australian horses, horses that have won interstate which shows the strength of our sprinters.
“Our stayers aren’t as good, but our sprinters are just as good as anywhere in Australia.”
