Reunited racing pair return to winning ways at Gold Coast track

GOLD Coast trainer Les Kelly has reunited with Kim’s Tarzan with stunning success.

GOLD Coast trainer Les Kelly has reunited with Kim’s Tarzan with stunning success.

Kim’s Tarzan won Saturday’s QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate (1200m) on the Gold Coast in what was the three-year-old’s first run in Australia.

It was his first run for Kelly who first crossed paths with Kim’s Tarzan 18 months ago.

Kelly was taking a break from training when a Singapore-based client asked him to find him a winning horse at the 2016 Karaka Million sales.

The respected trainer bought Kim’s Tarzan — named just Tarzan at the time — and that was the last he thought he would see of the gelding.

The now three-year-old failed to place in three races in New Zealand but after being brought back to Australia to link up with Kelly six months ago Kim’s Tarzan has found winning form.

“It was a good run and he has improved a lot that horse,” Kelly said.

“I actually picked him out at the sales for a Singaporean client and I wasn’t training at the time — I was having a break.

“When I started up training again they decided to send it over to me.”

Kim’s Tarzan jumped well and went to the front early on Saturday before kicking away in the final 200m to finish a length in front of rival Don’t Stutter and 2.3 lengths in front of Iron Dome.

Kim’s Tarzan was gelded upon arrival to Australia and sent to spell in Beaudesert for a spell before beginning work for Kelly three months ago.

Kelly said having Kim’s Tarzan gelded and putting a tongue-tie on him for the first time has played a big role in his turnaround in form across the Tasman.

“I think gelding him and putting a tongue-tie on him as well helped,” Kelly said.