At Kody Nestor’s own admission, Kenny Succeed was a horse purchased for a few mates to have some fun with.
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The hope was to jag a win, maybe two, and then head north to the iconic outback meeting at Birdsville in central Queensland.
However, in seven starts for the rookie Dubbo trainer the six-year-old has scored three wins and three placings.
That has forced a change in plans and Kenny Succeed now heads to Coonamble’s showcase meeting on Sunday to take part in the annual Coonamble Cannonball (1100m).
“I thought he had a bit of improvement in him but he’s definitely done more than expected,” Nestor said.
“We hoped to win a race or two and head to Birdsville but he’s jumped up three or four grades and earnt the right to be in these open handicap events.
“He’s definitely exceeded our expectations.”
Sunday is the next test for Kenny Succeed, with a couple of experienced and highly-rated sprinters also taking part in the $35,000 Cannonball.
Kenny Succeed, to jump from barrier three with Jake Pracey-Holmes in the saddle, will be going up against the likes of Cecil Hodgson’s A Magic Zariz, Paddy Cunningham’s winner at Doomben Love Me Baby and I’m Imogen, from Brett Thompson’s stables at Gulgong.
I’m Imogen was a $3.40 favourite on Friday afternoon while Kenny Succeed was second in the line of betting at $4.
“Jake suits the horse. He’s a front-running jockey and that’s the way old Kenny Succeed’s style and he did a good job at Gunnedah,” Nestor said.
Gunnedah was the scene of victory last start, with Kenny Succeed winning a 1000m event by a quarter-of-a-length.
Nestor has some slight concerns about the speed of the race early but added he’s “happy as Larry” with his six-year-old.
Nestor, who only began training after retiring as a jockey last November, is developing a small but succeful stable with Cosby to take his first start in a maiden event on Sunday while Invincible Thunder is nearing a start having previously been trained by Kody’s uncle, Peter Nestor.
“I’ve got about eight or nine and it’s building up nicely,” he said.
“But I don’t want to get too big. I’m riding them all myself (in track work) at the moment and that’s the way I like it.”
Sunday is a showcase meeting with all minimum prizemoney rising from $20,000 to $30,000.
The eight-race meeting starts at 12.25pm with the Cannonball feature jumping at 4.05pm.