Kembla preview: Trainer Edward O’Rourke is confident a fitter Kazotsky will be on show

Kazotsky felt the pinch late on testing ground last start but trainer Edward O’Rourke expects the gelding to be much better this time out on a quick back-up.

Untimely wet weather and abandoned meetings hindered the preparation of Kazotsky but trainer Edward O’Rourke has declared a fitter version will step out this week.

Kazotsky joined O’Rourke’s Hawkesbury stables this year and resumed with a handy half-length third behind Master Riley and Ramius over 1300m at Newcastle on August 29.

However, consecutive abandoned meetings at Kembla and Hawkesbury meant he went five week between runs when he ventured to Kembla on October 3 and finished just over four lengths behind Equilibrist and Irish Anthem on a Heavy 10 over 1500m.

“It was a really good run first-up and the form from that race has stacked up with both horses who beat him home having gone on to win since,” said O’Rourke.

“With those meetings being abandoned, when he got to Kembla last start, he was just too fat. We put the work into him but he’s a good doer and needs consistent racing.

“If I could have got a run into him two weeks before, it would have made a massive difference to him.”

Trainer Edward O’Rourke. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

The son of Russian Revolution is on a nine day back-up in the opening race, the Maiden Handicap (1500m) for colts and geldings.

“He has pulled up well, his work on Tuesday morning was quite good and again on Thursday,” O’Rourke said.

“When I saw the nominations for this race, I thought ‘gee, I better throw this guy in and have a look’.

“I was able to get Jaden Lloyd to ride and barrier 1 looks ideal with the rail out nine metres.”

O’Rourke’s other two runners for the day are Nanyehi and Bertus.

Three-year-old Nanyehi makes her race debut in the Maiden Handicap (1500m) for fillies.

A full sister to last year’s Victoria, South Australia and Queensland Derby runner, Warialda Warrior, Nanyehi has shown potential in both her trials.

She came from near last when fourth behind Iowna Benz, albeit over eight lengths away, in her 1000m Hawkesbury trial on September 17 before a long neck second to Anderson Bridge in her 1207m heat at Warwick Farm on September 30.

“She found the line quite nicely in her first trial,” said O’Rourke.

“I asked Adam (Hyeronimous) to just educate her that day. To get back and run on because we are thinking of her as a 2000m filly.

“Iowna Benz was six or seven lengths in front of her off and then at the 600m, he was off and gone but she closed off well and was good through the line.

“She obviously took drastic improvement in her second trial when Rachel King rode her at Warwick Farm on a heavy track which she wasn’t in love with.

“I know it wasn’t quick time but she jumped well, settled closer to the leaders that day and was really good the whole way up the straight, right to the line.

“I was really happy with that.”

Bertus pleased his trainer with his two-and-a-quarter length fifth behind Cosmeena on debut over 1250m at Newcastle.

He will contest either the Super Maiden Plate (1300m) or the Midway Maiden Plate where he is an emergency.

“We needed to get him to the track because mentally, he is very immature,” O’Rourke said.

“He ran really well first-up considering he doesn’t know what he is doing.

“He has improved a fair bit off that run. His work the other morning on the course proper was very good. He travelled up in his work much more professionally.

“The 1300m would suit him but the 1500m Midway is a bit easier race.

“We will be positive on him and whichever one he runs in, I’m sure he will run a really good race.”

Originally published as Kembla preview: Trainer Edward O’Rourke is confident a fitter Kazotsky will be on show