Kenny Succeed must have known what Kody Nestor was talking around the stables in recent weeks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Dubbo trainer had toying with the idea of retiring his veteran sprinter but that plan has been put on hold after Kenny Succeed dominated a class field of sprinters at his home track on Monday.
Kenny Succeed powered to victory in the Lifeline Dubbo Open Handicap (1200m) and never looked troubled after skipping out to a four-length lead early on.
Jake Pracey-Holmes produced a fine ride, getting across to the inside with ease early on after jumping from the extreme outside.
READ ALSO:
He led the $11 hope to a commanding early lead and he didn't ease off in the straight, going on to win by almost three lengths from Rodney Robb's $3 favourite Thermosa and Jetgirl ($9.50).
The win was Kenny Succeed's first in exactly one year and that lean run, combined with a disappointing last-placed finish in the Cowra Japan Cup last time out, had led Nestor to contemplate retirement.
"I had a whisper in his ear and told him this would be his last run so he obviously can speak a bit of English," Nestor told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
"He's my favourite, this old horse, he's the first horse I ever got and I've got good mates in [owning] him so it was really, really terrific to see him back to his best lately."
While Kenny Succeed's form has been patchy in recent times part of that was due to a run of poor barrier draws. He didn't get any favours on Monday, going from gate 10, but it proved a non-issue. He never looked in trouble despite the field consisting of sprinters with plenty of provincial and metropolitan experience.
"When I was watching and saw he was three or four lengths in front I thought 'oh geez he might be back to his best' and that was a handy group of sprinters so we'll look for something else for him," Nestor said.
He's here for another couple of weeks anyway.
- Kody Nestor on Kenny Succeed
"He kept going and got to the 1200 strong and I'm really tickled pink for the owners.
"He's here for another couple of weeks anyway."
The win was the lone success for both Pracey-Holmes and Nestor on the day.
Anthony Cavallo finished with a winning treble on Monday, piloting Mayaman ($3.10 favourite), Athena's Voice ($2.10 favourite) and Petain ($7) to victory.