Toowoomba trainer Kevin Kemp revived his chances of a fifth win in his hometown’s major race, the Weetwood Handicap, when Kempelly won at Doomben on Saturday.
Kempelly ($14) scored by a half length to the favourite The Architect ($2.50) and then survived a protest in the Brisbane Marriott Hotel Handicap.
Jim Byrne, who rode Architect, alleged Tim Bell had forced him wider on the track over the final 200m.
But stewards dismissed the protest, finding the interference had not been enough to alter the placings.
Kempelly ran second in last year’s Weetwood behind his stablemate Typhoon Red and Kemp believes he can go one better this year.
The Listed Weetwood (1200m) will be run as the major race during the stand-alone TAB meeting at Toowoomba on May 2.
Kemp has won the Weetwood with Tellem (twice), Startell and Typhoon Red and admits he loves the race.
“Kempelly has been finding it a bit harder in the lead-up to the Weetwood this year,” he said.
“Last year he was winning benchmark races but this year he has been in stakes company where he has raced well without winning.
“I don’t know what weight he will get but this win should ensure he gets a start without being weighted out of the race.”
Meanwhile, former champion jockey Chris Munce learned about another pressure of training when Lucky Black survived a protest to win the Novotel Brisbane Airport Handicap (1200m).
Lucky Black ($3.50) held on to beat Power Supply ($15) by a half head with a neck to Lordag ($6) in third place.
However, jockey Glen Colless on Lordag lodged a protest, alleging interference at the 200m mark.
Colless said Lucky Black had shifted out and taken his running forcing him back to the inside.
But stewards dismissed the protest after finding Belegic had caused most of the interference.
It was Munce’s fitfh metropolitan winner since he gave away riding in January to take up training.
Robert Heathcote paid tribute to former country apprentice apprentice Matt McGillivray when consistent Jopa ($4.80) won the Stradbroke Eve Calcutta Handicap.
“Matt has a God-given talent. He rode Jopa perfectly and he won’t his three-kilo claim for much longer,” Heathcote said.
