Kembla preview: Trainer Mitchell Beer has high hopes for a lightly raced filly chasing her maiden win at home

Bigger things await Lightly Sparkled according to trainer Mitchell Beer and she is ready to take the next step on that path with a maiden win at Kembla.

Trainer Mitchell Beer saddles up a strong team at Kembla including Lightly Sparkled. Picture: Grant Guy

Trainer Mitchell Beer has high hopes for Lightly Sparkled and believes she can take the first step towards bigger things when she steps out on her home track.

Spelled after a debut fourth on the Kensington back in July, Lightly Sparkled kicked off her second campaign when a fourth behind Quartz Legend at Kembla two weeks ago but Beer feels she should have finished closer.

“She went really well first-up, the track just played a bit strange that day. No one wanted to lead and they were getting out to the middle,” said Beer.

“She got in behind them and went back to the fence.

“She got a bit lost and would have been no match for the winner but she should have been closer.”

Quartz Legend scores on debut @kemblaraces for owner @BonHo93524033, trainer Les Bridge & rider @AndrewAdkins103! This son of Deep Field was purchased by Legend Racing & @AvenueBstock from @NewgateFarm@mmsnippets ! 4 winners for @BonHo93524033 in 24 hours! Congratulations 👏🇭🇰🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/vnGG7PLr8l

— Mark McStay 🇺🇦 (@mcstayagent) November 16, 2024

The daughter of Headwater is one of the leading chances in the Maiden Plate (1000m) with Blake Spriggs aboard.

“I’ve got plenty of time for her and I think she is a city class filly in the making,” he said.

“She strips much fitter and has drawn well on the rails.

“I would be disappointed if she doesn’t go close to winning.”

Beer saddles up Scissor Me Timbers and Hurricane Thunder in the Benchmark 68 (1200m) and makes a strong case for both horses.

Scissor Me Timbers also resumed at Kembla two weeks ago when fourth behind Llewellyn over 1200m.

He wasn’t suited the way the track played and the how the race was run according to his trainer but is ready to bounce back.

“He will improve a heap from his first-up run. Things just didn’t pan out as we hoped,” Beer said.

“We wanted a good amount of speed but no one wanted to lead at the meeting here a fortnight ago.

“They went slow and he got exposed from the top of the straight.

“I like him and I think he will be a big improver.

“He had three runs on the heavy for a win and two placings so a wet track will suit him.

“I think he’s the sort of horse that deeper into his preparation, he could get to a Midway once he gets to 1400 metres.

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“Of all my runners at Kembla, he’s the one who will improve the most from his last run.”

Hurricane Thunder may have been narrowly beaten at Gundagai last start but he did run a handy fourth at Kembla the start prior and Beer gives him a strong chance.

“He was probably pretty stiff last start in what wasn’t a bad race at Gundagai. He just got there one stride too late coming from last,” he said.

“He gets in well at the weights, he’s run really well on rain affected surfaces, the 1200 metres is ideal and I expect him to run another nice race.

“He’s a genuine each-way chance. I think he’s a $5 or $6 chance but will probably be double that.

“He’ll get a long way back but he has a ripping turn of foot.”

Canadian Express only joined Beer’s stable a couple of months ago mid-preparation and has finished on the heels of the placegetters in his three runs from his new base.

“He just needs to a length of two but hopefully with a bit of give in the ground he can do that,” he said.

“He has run his better races on softer going.”

With three placings from five starts, the gelding looks an each-way chance in the Midway Class 1 Handicap (1400m).

“He is rock hard fit now and gets back down in the weights.

“It’s a petty even race and I think he will be thereabouts.”

Originally published as Kembla preview: Trainer Mitchell Beer has high hopes for a lightly raced filly chasing her maiden win at home