Riverina team take on Sydney

It is not unusual to see both driver Jackson Painting and trainer David Kennedy frequenting the winners’ circle at harness racing tracks in the Riverina.

In more recent seasons the pair has been a dominant force at Wagga and the surrounding tracks.

But due to the recent unpredictable weather they decided to set up a temporary base at the Training Centre at Tabcorp Park Menangle to ensure that they could race some of their better horses in Sydney with the added lure of the feature racing there.

“Dave and I had been floating the idea in our minds for some time, working out whether it would be logistically possible,” said Painting.

“And then when all the bad weather kept turning up, we decided it was something we needed to do.

“The lure of good racing in Sydney and the chance that we may be forced to miss it convinced Dave that it was the right time to give it a go.

“We will probably stay here for another month or so, as things are not getting any better weather-wise in the regional areas and our team is thriving down here, which is great.”

Painting has driven 68 winners this season and while that is not as many as in seasons past, he and Kennedy have produced a lot of quality stock, which have chased the bigger stakes.

“I am very fortunate to drive most of these nice horses that Dave has attracted to his stable,” said Painting.

“I have not driven those high number of winners as in the past, but still it has been a successful season for us.”

Painting and Kennedy will travel to Penrith on Thursday (Nov. 17) with two runners, Blazing Home (Rock N Roll Heaven) in Race 2 and Scared Stiff (Terror To Love) in Race 5.

Blazing Home, unbeaten in four starts, is resuming from a short spell and while Painting says his gate 10 draw is not ideal, he is confident of a forward showing from the gelding, who has impressed in all of his wins.

Scared Stiff also has the task ahead in the P. J. Hall Memorial, but again Painting remains confident with him following a strong last-start victory at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

“I have a lot of time for both these horses,” he said.

“They are both sharp going into their respective races.

“I will just need to rely on some luck in running from their awkward draws.”

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW