Top Sydney jockey Glyn Schofield feels that the imported Kelinni would have to continue to improve if he was to be considered a serious Spring Carnival contender.
Kelinni is having his second start from a spell at Rosehill tomorrow and even though Schofield was happy with the four year olds first up effort when second to stable mate Stout Hearted over 1400m at Rosehill on July 7, further improvement is needed if he is to make his presence felt in tougher company.
“He seems to be getting better and it is good he has come back in such fine form,” Schofield said.
“I’m sure he can measure up, he has some upside, but he hasn’t be exposed to a Group race yet and he has to prove himself up to that level.”
Kelinni will be fitter for his second run back and will appreciate the step up to 1900m of the Benchmark 89 Moraitis Handicap after winning up to 2500m on the Kensington track at Randwick last campaign.
“It was a very good first up run and he was quite fresh,” Schofield said.
“He just got run down by the stablemate and he was a little exposed in the run so he will improve.”
The Refuse To Bend gelding is one of many horses the Chris Waller stable have imported and significant improvement could see the four year line up in the Group 1 $400,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 6.
Waller has had some success with Kellinni with three wins last time in ranging from 1250m up to 2500m and a further increase in distance will be the program after Saturday.
Sydney’s premier trainer is also looking to better quality races for Stout Hearted after he contests the Benchmark 80 Myer Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill.
Waller put Stout Hearted out for a spell after a fourth and a third at Canterbury in the Autumn and was able to produce the four year old first up to beat stablemate Kelinni at Rosehill on July 7.
“It was a good to see him do that after being gelded,” Waller said.
“He’s a promising horse but he’s got to win again. Plenty of horses win one race.”
“He’s still learning but his win first-up suggests he’s come back in good order.”
Stout Hearted is another of Waller’s imported team and another good performance tomorrow could see the Dynaformer gelding head to the provincial cups during the Spring.
“We bought him with high expectations and paid a good deal of money for him,” Waller said.
“He’s pretty talented but his first preparation was a learning curve. I think he’s turned the corner and has a bright future.”
“If he keeps performing we’ll look at races like the Wyong Cup and Newcastle Cup (2300m) and then reassess again,” he said.
“He’ll tell us where he’s at but for now our focus is to win prizemoney and provide a return for the owners.”
“But he is by Americain’s sire Dynaformer so you’d have to think he can stay a bit,” Waller said.
Waller has a good record in the Listed $150,000 Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) winning the past two with Hawk Island and The Verminator who went on to win the Metropolitan at Randwick.
And the Group 3 $200,000 Newcastle Gold Cup over 2300m at Broadmeadow on September 20, two weeks after Wyong, is also a suitable Spring target.
