South Australian trainer Richard Jolly is hoping for better luck on the straight track at Flemington when Kemalpasa lines up in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
Jolly, who trains in partnership with daughter Chantelle, travelled to Melbourne on Saturday to watch All Banter and Alleboom finish out of the placings in their respective races.
While disappointed with their performances, Jolly did not leave empty-handed as he shares in the ownership of Morvada, winner of the Group 3 Shaftesbury Aveneue Handicap, but trained by his father Peter.
Jolly returns to Flemington looking for Kemalpasa to continue his excellent straight record in Saturday’s Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
Kemalpasa has raced three times over Saturday’s 1200m course, for two wins and a third.
He has been successful in the past two editions of the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes, run on the opening day of Melbourne Cup week, along with running third in last year’s Gilgai Stakes.
Kemalpasa has had two starts following a break, finishing second to Behemoth in the Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville in January before running third to Celebrity Queen and Portland Sky in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 20.
“He’s a horse that gets better with a bit of racing and we’re quietly confident that he’s a good genuine chance on the way he ran the other day,” Jolly said.
“And he loves the straight.”
Craig Williams rode Kemalpasa in two victories in Melbourne last spring while Damian Lane was aboard in the Oakleigh Plate.
Jake Toeroek takes over on Saturday.
“He was going to come over and ride him in the Oakleigh Plate, but because of the (COVID-19) restrictions he couldn’t,” Jolly said.
“He’s won on him plenty of times and he’s won on him at Flemington.”
Written by Craig Brennan
