Newcastle preview: Talented gelding Kayobi can give trainer Sam Kavanagh a boost as he chases Championship berth

Kayobi’s path to the Provincial-Midway Championships hasn’t been smooth sailing but that will soon be forgotten if he can qualify for the Final via the Wildcard at Newcastle.

Sam Kavanagh is looking for a top three finish from Kayobi in the Provincial-Midway Wildcard at Newcastle on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Local trainer Sam Kavanagh has endured a tough 12 months on both a personal level and with his training business but a top three finish from Kayobi in the Provincial-Midway Championship Wildcard (1400m) will be a massive boost.

The lightly-raced five-year-old is returning from an enforced spell after suffering a bleeding attack when a close second at Rosehill back on October 7.

The son of Maurice was held up on the fence on that occasion and was just a long neck behind Super Helpful.

“With my health issues, it has been a pretty tough 12 months to keep the stable running. If we can get a result on Wednesday, it would be pretty good,” Kavanagh said.

Super Helpful closes the card at $61! 💰 pic.twitter.com/6ioxwNf8WI

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 7, 2023

“Kayobi is coming back from a bleeding attack so you have to be mindful of that but when you have a look at his last run (when he bled), he was pretty unlucky not to win.

“He was held up on the fence and was narrowly beaten.

“Super Helpful won that day and went on to run third in the Big Dance.

“You would say that he (Kayobi) has got has that high-end handicappers ability, it’s just whether he can come back and go to that level for us.”

Kavanagh had Kayobi set to resume in an earlier Qualifier but had to miss that race after the gelding had a hiccup in the lead-up.

“We have been a bit unlucky. He was ready to rock and roll for an earlier heat but he picked up a virus,” he said.

“He is just a horse who seems to catch every little thing.

“In saying that, his work has been good and his trials have been good. If he hadn’t have had the setback he did, we would be confident leading into this run.

“This looks a pretty suitable race, he is fit and well. We are just hoping he goes there and does the job.

“It’s then 10 days into the Final which isn’t ideal. We were hoping to have already qualified by now and be three weeks between runs.”

Kayobi has some up with barrier 7 in the Wildcard where he opened the $4 TAB Fixed Odds favourite on Monday afternoon just ahead of Willinga Freefall and Terra Mater at $4.80 before easing slightly when his two main rivals firmed.

Spirit Of Storm will appreciate returning to her home track as she chases her second career win. Picture: Bradley Photos

“This is not a weak race. Willinga Freefall was unlucky not to have won the Qualifier at Gosford the other day and he will be really hard to beat this week,” Kavanagh said.

“I would go as far as to say that this year’s Provincial-Midway Championships is the strongest one we have ever seen.

“Look at those already qualified. Strait Acer is Group 1 placed, Ausbred Flirt is Group 3 placed and was fifth in The Invitation in the Spring and Territory Express was a close second in the Ajax Stakes at Rosehill recently.

“Kayobi works and shows that he is a stakes level horse and the form around him is from stakes-class horses.

“The first three go into the final so hopefully he can finish in the placings and he will improve going into the Final.”

Kavanagh also expects Spirit Of Storm to run well in the Class 1 Handicap (1250m) after a handy third behind Drama Dodger at Gosford last start.

“She has been drawing poorly which hasn’t made it easy for her but she was good at Gosford last start,” he said.

“She loves racing at Newcastle where she has a win and two placings from three starts.

“I thought Kris’ (Lees) horse, Invincible Whip is the one to beat on its form but my filly will run very well.”

RAWILLER AND TERRA MATER REUNITE TO LOCK IN FINAL BERTH

Trainer Jarrod Austin started the week on a high note when his beloved Wests Tigers won on Easter Monday and he is hoping his bonny mare Terra Mater can prove triumphant in the Provincial-Midway Wildcard and lock in her place in the $1 million Final.

The Warwick Farm horseman was left deflated when Terra Mater drew barrier 16 in her qualifier at Gosford 18 days ago but he couldn’t have been prouder of her effort in finishing fourth behind Shadows Of Love.

After racing four and five-wide throughout and suffering some interference on straightening, the four-year-old showed great tenacity to finish just a length and a half from the winner.

Shadows Of Love has taken out the Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier at @gosford_races for @kimwaugh6 and @keaganlatham! pic.twitter.com/EY4hJoy0cH

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 16, 2024

“We mapped out a plan for her to try and reach the Final. We were hoping to qualify through that race but it wasn’t to be after she drew the outside barrier,” said Austin.

“I thought her run was huge in the end.

“I think four-wide was the best she ended up in the run. She had cover so it wasn’t the end of the world but it was a big task to overcome.

“She then copped a bump at the top of the straight just when she was starting to build momentum and I think that was crucial otherwise I feel she would have finished a little bit closer.

“She just got knocked off her stride and around Gosford, it’s quite tricky to balance up again and close off with the short straight but she picked herself up and finished strong.

“Her run had come to an end about 50m out but when the horse on her outside challenged her, she really fought back.

“She is real competitor. That’s her biggest asset.”

That race was run over 1200m where the Wildcard, like the other Qualifiers, is over 1400m which will suite her better according to Austin.

The daughter of Wandjina has drawn barrier 8 and reunites with Nash Rawiller who is unbeaten in three rides on her.

“It still a tricky barrier but it’s a lot better that barrier 16.

“I’m not sure were Nash will want to get to from that gate but I imagine she won’t be too far away.

“It makes it a lot easier than what she faced last time.

“I think the 1400m is a better distance for her and the big track will suit her much better.”

Originally published as Newcastle preview: Talented gelding Kayobi can give trainer Sam Kavanagh a boost as he chases Championship berth