Former jockey Bill Kenning is hoping to add another first to his new career as a trainer when Castle Express races at Doomben.
Kenning rode for many years at various centres around Queensland including a successful stint in Brisbane about 10 years ago.
He took up training 4-1/2 years ago and has had plenty of success with a small team, having trained about 60 winners.
“I got smashed up pretty badly in a fall and decided to give riding away,” Kenning said.
“I have only had a small team around seven horses which is what I can handle myself.”
“But I have been lucky to always have a horse in the stable who could win a few races.”
Kenning has been based for much of his training career in Townsville but has switched to Rockhampton with Townsville closed for renovations.
Castle Express was Kenning’s first Brisbane runner when third in an open handicap over 2200m behind Shotover River two weeks ago.
“Being in Rocky gave me a chance to have a runner in Brisbane. It is a pretty easy run down there and I will come down on Friday night,” Kenning said.
Castle Express was originally trained by Kelly Schweida in Brisbane where he won four races and he has since won another five for Kenning who also part-owns him.
The seven-year-old gelding has been racing well in the provincial Cups running fourth in the Rockhampton Cup and third in the Mackay Cup.
“After those runs we felt he would be up to Brisbane at this time of the year when the staying races aren’t strong,” Kenning said.
Race favourite Shotover River will be on trial for a possible Sydney trip.
Shotover River has won his past two starts in Brisbane over 2200m and the Meagher training combination is keen to try him over 2400m.
It would mean a trip interstate as there are few 2400m races in Queensland.
