Kensington preview: Yorkshire handling every test thrown his way

The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Yorkshire was game in defeat in a strong race at Randwick last start and looks ideally placed to bounce back on the Kensington.

Yorkshire looks hard to beat on the Kensington on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Co-trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton took a chance by throwing Yorkshire in the deep end at Randwick last start but the gelding proved up to the challenge.

Following an impressive four-length maiden win on debut at Hawkesbury, Yorkshire stepped straight to a Saturday grade Benchmark 72 at Randwick where he finished third behind the progressive pair of Invader Zim and Kerguelen.

While beaten just under two lengths, there was plenty of merit to the effort as things didn’t work in his favour throughout the race but he showed plenty of grit and determination.

“It was a big step up in grade and he is still quite a raw horse,” Charlton said.

“He probably over raced slightly from the wide barrier early then the race started getting going quite a fair way out.

“It was a strong race and things didn’t quite go his way. He was left in the middle of the track as an inexperienced horse.

“He probably should have finished a bit closer. He still wouldn’t have beaten the other two home but would have been closer to them if not for the late bit of interference.

“It was a creditable effort in what looks like a strong form race.”

The four-year-old son of Snitzel steps out in the Exceedance @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1300m) with Jason Collett again on board.

The gelding has drawn barrier eight in the field of nine but Charlton isn’t concerned.

“The draw is not an issue for him. Jason will get him into his rhythm and he will be fine,” he said.

Charlton said the stable hasn’t beyond this week for Yorkshire at this stage. They will just get through this race and be guided by how he comes through the run.

An impressive run from Yorkshire, saluting on debut for @JohnOSheaRacing and @tomcharlton37. pic.twitter.com/ny5gbGGoXL

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 11, 2024

Jamberoo is a newcomer to O’Shea and Charlton’s Randwick stables having previously been prepared by Diane Poidevin Laine at Kembla where he won three of his 17 starts.

The five-year-old last raced on the Kensington on July 17 when fifth behind West Of Africa.

He has since trialled for his new trainers when a winner of his 1200m heat at Randwick on August 5 with Tommy Berry.

Jamberoo lines up in the PKF Sydney Handicap (1550m) with Berry to ride.

“We are still learning about him. He might be a horse looking for a bit further than 1550m,” Charlton said.

“We were happy with him last week in his trial but we will learn more about him on race day.

“If he can run well, it will give us something to build on and hopefully we can try and win something in town with him going forward.”

O’Shea and Charlton have a couple of options with imported gelding Start Line over the next two days with the PKF Global Handicap (1800m) on the Kensington or an 1850m Class 1 and Maiden Plate at Newcastle on Thursday.

“We will just assess which option will be the best for him,” Charlton said

Despite finishing tenth behind Amicus Curiae over 1400m at Newcastle two starts back, the gelding was good over the final 100m.

He followed it up with a half-length second to Sweet Proposal over 1600m at Hawkesbury.

“Both recent efforts have been good,” he said.

“In his last run he was probably a bit unlucky. There wasn’t that much tempo and he isn’t a quick horse, he a galloper so that was pleasing to see him run like he did.

“He should handle a bit of sting out the track well.

“He’s still quite lightly-raced and hopefully the penny is starting to drop with him.”

Alvina’s Luck can repay patience of trainer

It may have been a slow start to the racetrack career of Alvina’s Luck, but trainer Ron Quinton is hoping that delay can be a blessing in disguise and she is row ready to get on a roll.

Alvina’s Luck had her first barrier trial in November 2021 but did make her race debut until August last year when runner-up behind Just Gisella at Hawkesbury.

“In the early part of her career, she had a few niggling little issues that were probably because of immaturity and that’s why she has taken so long to get anywhere,” said Quinton.

“Here we are and we seem to be on the right path now.”

She broke through for her maiden win at start number eight with a four-length demolition of her rivals on a Heavy 10 at the Gosford meeting that was transferred to Scone on July 2 then jumped sharply in class to a Benchmark 64 at Canterbury where she was a half head second behind Lady Extreme 22 days later.

An easy watch for the punters!

Alvina's Luck dominates Race 5 at @sconeraceclub. @[e-mail]/ghJV7p9fVV

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 2, 2024

The five-year-old steps up to a Benchmark 72 in the TAB Handicap (1300m) this week.

“She was very good winning at Scone,” he said.

“It was a bottomless track that day and she won by a big margin.

“Then at Canterbury last start, it was a soft track.

“She has shown she can handle all track conditions which is good because it will be a wet track this week.”

Alvina’s Luck hails from a family Quinton knows well having trained her dam, Lucky Can Be as well as her grandma, Yes She Can Cancan, along with his Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner, OfcourseIcan, who is a half-sister to Lucky Can Be.

Earlier in the day, Heavenly Kiss brings together Quinton and owner Neville Begg who were a great combination as jockey and trainer in the 70s and 80s highlighted by champion mare, Emancipation.

Heavenly Kiss ran an encouraging race ion debut back in April when fourth behind Trafalgar Square at Canterbury.

She resumes in the Inglis Extra Bonus Handicap (1150m).

“She ran really well on debut before a little break,” he said.

“This will probably be a bit sharp for her. She will be better once she gets up over a bit further.

“She looks well and I am happy with her. I would just like to see her getting through the line nicely.”

Originally published as Kensington preview: Yorkshire handling every test thrown his way