Laing Chasing Melbourne Cup Berth For Kindergarden Kid

Trainer Robbie Laing has revealed that he will be aiming to qualify imported stayer Kindergarden Kid for the 2014 Melbourne Cup that will be held at Flemington on November 4 during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.

Robbie Laing is chasing more Group 1 success with Kindergarden Kid during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.

Robbie Laing is chasing more Group 1 success with Kindergarden Kid during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Kindergarden Kid made his racing debut in the United States back in 2010 and worked his way through the grades before stepping up to Grade 1 level when fifth in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (1809m) in February of 2012.

The Dynaformer gelding finished third in both the 2012 Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup (2413m) and the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Series (2413m) before breaking through for his maiden win at Group level in the Sycamore Stakes and finishing a credible sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf (2413m).

Kindergarden Kid had two race starts in France after leaving the United States, but suffered a tendon injury and was bought to Australia to rehabilitate from the injury at the proper of owner Colleen Bamford.

Laing told Racing Victoria that Kindergarden Kid had appeared to recover from the tendon injury and confirmed that the imported galloper would make his Australian racing debut in the Sheen Group Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday.

“Colleen had him in work three months before I got him and I’ve had him for ten weeks so he’s done a lot of work,” Laing said.

“He’s a big, powerful horse that stands around 17 hands and he really looked great when I gave him an exhibition gallop at Cranbourne recently.

“He’ll get back and he’ll work home, as long as he pulls up alright we’re getting somewhere with him.”

Laing is hoping that he will be able to qualify Kindergarden Kid for the 2014 Melbourne Cup, but admits that the seven-year-old will likely need to win a lead-up race to be assured of a start in ‘the race that stops a nation’.

The in-form trainer is yet to decide on a 2014 Spring Racing Carnival path for Kindergarden Kid, but he revealed that he is eyeing the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday October 4 with the imported stayer.

“The owners want him to win the Melbourne Cup but I don’t think he’s even qualified now so that’s the first aim,” Laing said.

“He might have to go to Sydney for a race like The Metropolitan.

“I’ll just bring him along gradually but he’s got great form at 2400m.”

Laing is hoping to have his first runner in the Melbourne Cup since Roman Arch finished 14th behind Makybe Diva in the 2004 edition of the race.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.