Kembla preview: Jockey Keagan Latham has the fire power to extend his premiership lead

Jockey Keagan Latham will use every bit of his knowledge off the rain affected Kembla track to advantage as looks to extend his lead in the premiership.

Jockey Keagan Latham is out to build on his premiership lead at Kembla. Picture: Getty Images

Keagan Latham has earned the title of the ‘King of Kembla’ with his dominance at the Illawarra track including a treble at the last meeting and a strong book of rides can see him can extend his lead in the premiership.

Latham feel a drop back in grade and a heavy track will go a long way in helping Montgomery break back into winning form in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (2400m).

The gelding may not have handled the quick back-up from his third at Wyong on December 11 when he went to Warwick Farm seven days later and finished a well beaten fifth behind Impunity over 2200m.

“Up to the 2400m will be ideal and the wet track won’t be a problem for him. His best form has been on heavy ground.,” said Latham.

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“He drops back down to provincial grade again and it doesn’t look an overly strong race.

“Hopefully he can start the day in a good manner.”

Latham was happy enough with the run of Missile Seeker at Kembla two weeks ago when fourth to Tomba and feels a wider draw this week will be an advantage in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m).

“From barrier 1, we were locked up on the rail with nowhere to go until about a furlong to go and they only went steady in front,” he said.

“He ran home alright but missed the boat by not getting a crack at them from the top of the straight.

“Generally, when Kembla gets to anything more than a Heavy 8, they come out to the middle of the track or even down the outside fence.

“Drawn a bit further out, hopefully we can have him not too far out of his ground and he can come home over the top.”

Cuban Rain was gallant in defeat behind Rybakina at Kembla’s December 28 meeting after drawing in gate 10 in a field of 14.

Unfortunately, she has drawn even wider in the Midway Maiden Plate (1500m) and will start from gate 13 with the emergencies out.

“I am absolutely gutted at the draw,” Latham said.

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“She ran a super race the other day when she drew out and we had to take our medicine and go back on a track with the rail out and where they weren’t making up much ground.

“It gives more credit to the fact she ran on so well.

“I’m hoping there will be plenty of scratchings and bring our drawn down a bit.

“Hopefully they go fast in front and allow her to come home over the top of them.”

Two horses Latham had a bit to do with early in their careers are Zale and Sheriff’s Star and feels they can run well in their respective races.

Zale is coming off a fifth behind Noble Conqueror in a Benchmark 72 at Randwick on Boxing Day and drops to a Class 1 Handicap (1300m).

“I’ve always like this horse. He’s a big, robust animal,” he said.

“This race is just a touch on the short side for him but he a horse who doesn’t mind a wet track and a heavy track will turn it into more like a 1400m race.”

Latham rode Sheriff’s Star, who resumes in the Maiden Handicap (1000m) in his first two trials as a two-year-old and his last run before a spell.

“I actually really like the horse but he was doing a few things wrong.

“He has been gelded and I think we will see a completely different animal.”

Latham rides Sidenay in the final race of the day, the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) but said he will need some luck from barrier 1.