Kevin Kemp stable on fire with big names

Star 2-year-old Plumaro and Love Conquers all gelding Mr Marbellouz stole the show at Doomben on the weekend, with Plumaro bouncing back from defeat in style, edging out Only Wanna Sing and Fish ‘n’ Snitz to record a convincing 1.75L victory. Again coming from deep in the field, the Spirit of Boom filly gave punters something to cheer about, saluting at a starting price of $4.40.

It was a fitting return to the winner’s circle for the Kevin Kemp-trained filly after a 10-length win on debut at Toowoomba, beaten as a $1.60 shot in her next start. Kemp admitted he wasn’t overly satisfied where she settled during the race however he was confident she would go close in the end.

“It seems to be her pattern of racing to get back like that,” he said.

“I wasn’t that worried when she was so far back as she’s got a great finish”.

Plumaro will now be aimed at the $250,000 QTIS 2-year-old Jewel at the Gold Coast in 2 weeks, with a big winter carnival in mind for the trainer.

If she pulls up okay after this run she’ll head to the big race at the Gold Coast in a fortnight.”

“She’ll have a little ease up after the QTIS Jewel and we’ll look at some of the better winter races,” Kemp said.

“I think she’ll be looking for 1400 metres by then and who knows she might get a mile.”

The same value wasn’t found with 4-year-old Mr Marbellouz on Saturday, with the $1.30 shot leading all the way to score by 4L over 1200m. Interestingly for trainer Kevin Kemp, Mr Marbellouz was also a 7L winner on debut at Toowoomba before being beaten just 2 starts later, this time leaving the barriers paying $1.20.

Mr Marbellouz has now taken his record to 5 wins from 6 starts with a winning aggregate of 30 lengths, amazing winning by an average of 6 lengths in each start to date. The trainer praised his performances as of late, stating the sprinter may be bound for one of Brisbane’s major cards.

“He’s doing everything right at the moment and he’s still only a class four horse,” Kemp said.
“I want to give him two more runs in Class Sixes before looking at anything in the winter.
“I’m not sure what races would suit him in the winter, maybe the Lightning.”