Kemp ready to Strike at Doomben

KEVIN Kemp takes a fresh face and a veteran to tackle Doomben tomorrow.

Tisani Tomso. Photo: Steve Holland.

RACING: Kevin Kemp is hoping lightning can strike twice with his progressive three-year-old at Doomben tomorrow.

The Toowoomba trainer saddles up Naval Strike in the QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap (1200m) for colts and geldings, the scene of his biggest win to date.

The gelding caused a boilover on February 22, scoring at $41 in an open-grade event.

On that day he downed hot favourite Profit as well as Ballistic Boy, who have both won in town since, with the latter claiming the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate a fortnight ago.

Kemp believes this formline enhances the chances of Naval Strike, who comes into tomorrow’s race second-up.

“He’s a lovely horse that won in Brisbane three starts ago,” Kemp said.

“That was a decent sort of race and he won impressively. Even the final start before he went for a spell, he was only a couple of lengths from the winner. He’s a promising young horse.”

Naval Strike returned from a spell in impressive fashion at Clifford Park on June 5, defying a betting drift to flash home from last to score.

It took him to three wins from 11 starts, and Kemp said his success is made more special by the fact the gelding is a home-bred.

“He’s trained on well since that win and has done everything right,” he said.

“My wife and Paul Reedy have always owned his mother (Miss Ricciardo) and they bred this fella.

“It’s a good feeling when you win any race anywhere, but to win one you’ve watched from a little foal is extra special.”

Kemp also has his stable veteran engaged on the card, Tisani Tomso, who will battle it out in the Open Handicap (1110m) to close out the day.

The nine-year-old will line up for his 86th career start, and Kemp believes he will be ready to go third-up after running into the placings at the Gold Coast last start.

“It’s a horror draw (barrier 14). I’ll have a talk to the owners, and if they’re happy, he’s ready to go,” he said.

“He’s getting close to the $500,000 mark and has been a great horse.

“The draw might be a chance to ride him quiet. He’s normally an on-speed horse.

“Come the end of the day they could start to fan down the outside or even go back and ride him for luck.”

Kemp said it has been hard to find suitable races for the gelding, as he embarks on another assault on his home race.

“He hasn’t raced since the Gold Coast (May 22),” he said.

“It’s a bit hard to find a race for him with his benchmark, but fields will start to dwindle away shortly.

“Hopefully we can have another crack at the Weetwood with him.”

Tisani Tomso will have to shake off fellow locals Jadentom (Lindsay Hatch) and Spirit’s Choice (Matt Kropp) if he is to claim his 16th win.

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