Men on a mission

Narrandera harness racing trainer David Kennedy and his driver Jackson Painting are looking forward to a busy weekend after qualifying two three-years-olds for the $150,000 New South Wales Breeders Challenge Finals at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

On Friday afternoon they are a bit closer to home at West Wyalong where their main mission is with talented gelding Are Doubleyou in the West Wyalong S & C Pacers Cup.

Kennedy and Painting kicked off the week in style at Leeton when they combined to land a winning treble, but Painting admits that his assignment at headquarters is quite a mountain to climb.

“It is nice to get a couple of our young ones into the finals. We have had a really good season down here and while it is going to be a challenge for us, it would be great if we could sneak into the placings tomorrow night,” Jack said.

For A Reason gelding Braedos Lad qualified for the boys final after finishing second in his heat at Wagga and was then a brave third behind top-rated pair Titian Raider and Bar Room Banta in last weekend’s Semi Final.

“Braedos Lad ran out of his skin in his Semi Final. His draw (gate 7) in the Final is a bit of a disadvantage but he has done nothing wrong since he joined our stable at the start of the month. He is fit and ready to go so hopefully we will get some luck in running.”

Kennedy took over the training of A Perfect Dance back in June and the filly has performed well for him, winning two races, and placing on three occasions.

“A Perfect Dance is a really nice filly,” Painting explained.

“I was rapt with her run behind Chrissy Chic last week and was praying for a good draw. Unfortunately, we had no luck (in drawing gate 9), but I will snag back at the start and let her run home. Hopefully she can give her best and run into it late.

“Even though the Breeders Challenge is the big dance, I am looking forward to heading to West Wyalong today where I have four drives.

“We are quite happy with our fella Are Doubleyou going into the Cup. We picked this race out for him a month ago so hopefully our plan comes off,” Painting quipped.

To view fields for West Wyalong on Friday click here.

To view fields for Menangle on Saturday click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW