Trainer Gary Kennewell has revealed that Conservatorium has thrived since arriving in Brisbane and the veteran trainer is happy with the condition of the tough gelding heading into the Doomben 10,000 this weekend.
Trainer Gary Kennewell is hoping that Conservatorium can return to winning form in the Doomben 10,000 this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Conservatorium made a slow start to his Doomben 10,000 campaign, finishing eighth in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 12 and seventh in the Group 3 McKay Stakes (1100m) at the same venue a fortnight later, before battling home bravely to finish eighth in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m).
Kennewell told Racing Ahead that he does not believe Conservatorium has been racing as well as he did this time last year, but is hopeful that the Royal Academy gelding can return to his best form in the Doomben 10,000 after thriving in his new environment in Brisbane.
“I didn’t think that he was quiet as good as he was last year, but he has thrived since he came up here and hopefully he has turned the corner,” Kennewell said.
“He is a funny horse and he always does pretty well at home, but he just thrives when he gets away.
“I think it is just a bit warmer up here, he gets into his tucker and he has probably put on 20 kilos since he has been here.
“For some reason he doesn’t go that well in Melbourne, but he does well in Queensland and does well in Perth so we are happy to keep going there.”
Lloyd Kennewell said earlier in the week that he was hoping to draw an inside barrier, but Conservatorium had not luck at the 2014 Doomben 10,000 barrier draw that was released yesterday and he will jump from the outside of the field.
Kennewell admits that the wide draw is not ideal for Conservatorium, but remains confident that the six-year-old will be able to take up a forward position in the early stages of the race.
“That is going to make it hard from out there, but it is a good long run round the back there and hopefully he can pull into a nice posy from there,” Kennewell said.
“We have got to go forward and going back for him is probably fourth or fifth and hopefully he can slot in somewhere.
“There is good speed in the race; Driefontein and Buffering will be going pretty firm up front and he has pretty good speed so he should be able to slot it.”
Conservatorium is currently available at 2014 Doomben 10,000 odds of $26; with Buffering ($3.90) still a narrow favourite from Rebel Dane ($4.40) and Spirit Of Boom ($4.80).
