Kalgoorlie Homecoming For Green

Posted on July 29, 2016 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Karnup-based trainer, Kevin Green, at Kalgoorlie on Sunday.

Green, born in Kalgoorlie, returns home for the first time as a trainer since he presented Gold Bombardier at the Golden Mile Trotting Club more than a decade ago.

Green is hoping for a better return than the 2003 race round when Gold Bombadier performed moderately, placing seventh, 10^th and runner-up in his three appearances.

Spearheading Green’s goldfields comeback is The Karnup Kid, the Blackfriars gelding taking on a field of nine in the St John Ambulance 1^st In First Aid Handicap (2120m).

The four-year-old has caused headaches for Green, niggly injuries and consistency his major concerns, but in recent starts there has been a level of improvement.

At Pinjarra in June he was never headed after finding the front, clearing away to defeat Gold Invader by a dominant 1 ½ lengths over the mile.

Last-start at the same course when stepping up to 2014m he employed similar tactics, but just faded behind Defiancy, beaten one length.

Green, encouraged by the performances, said The Karnup Kid will be difficult to beat if he can reproduce his best form.

“I think he should win, but I have learnt to hold my breath with this horse,” Green said.

“He just finds trouble and can be a risky proposition.

“He’s had every injury in the book and they are all obscure.

“He’s had laminitis, an abscess in the jaw and an eye ulcer.

“His brother is Saxon Saxoff and I thought he would be better than him.

“He’s just had too many hassles, but I’m hoping he is getting over them.

“I think he can be a good horse, but has had too many things hold him back.”

The Karnup Kid will carry 52kg with the claim of talented apprentice, Sarah Bonner. The young jockey is looking to bridge a two win gap on Clint Johnston-Porter in Kalgoorlie Jockey of the Year honours.

Get Round It, one of two runners for Helen Harding, and David Smith’s Cincinnati Boy loom as the biggest threat to The Karnup Kid.

Get Round It has the impost of 62.5kg, but should be approaching peak fitness after three runs back and will have the services of in-form jockey, Glenn Smith.

Cincinnati Boy can’t be discounted after his fighting win over Yaloginda and Sir Dandy two weeks ago.

Julio Santarelli