Jockey Mathew Cahill was left to admit Activation was just too good in Tuesday's $150,000 Western Districts Country Championships Qualifier at Coonamble.
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Cahill was riding Wild Rocket in the feature event and while he produced a strong run home it was nothing compared to the charge produced by the Kody Nestor-trained Activation.
Activation won by just over a length while Wild Rocket was second, earning Narromine trainer Kylie Kennedy her first ticket to the $500,000 Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick.
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The result made it back-to-back qualifying rides for Cahill, after he won last year's Western Districts heat with the Nestor-trained Sneak Preview.
"She's a game little filly," Cahill told Sky Thoroughbred Central after Tuesday's race.
"She got back as she always does and she gives away a bit of a start but she really finished nice.
"At the top of the straight I was right in it but the winner was just too strong over the last 100 (metres) and ran over me.
"She was brave in defeat."
Wild Rocket now has four wins and two placings in her past six starts and while she's racing in tremendous form, there is one little issue ahead of the April 3 final.
Kennedy has spoken previously about how her mare is a noted terrible traveller in the float and when speaking after Tuesday's result it was again one of the first things she mentioned.
"Now it's just the worry of getting her to Sydney in one piece," Kennedy laughed.
"Congratulations goes to Kody and the team, they do a great job, and I'm excited.
"She'll have an easy week and a bit now (before the final) and we'll see what she does."
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
