Donnelly pair heading to Victoria

One of the harness racing giant killers of pacing is heading to Victoria to prepare for the New Zealand Cup.

Cambridge pacer Kango (American Ideal) and his trotting stablemate Virginia Clowers (Creatine) will travel together to Victoria for trainer Arna Donnelly.

“I think it is a really good way for him to have good, consistent racing with some good stakes,” says Donnelly

“So he will head over soon and if he is racing well in a month or six weeks he could contest the Victoria Cup (October 14) but even if he doesn’t there are some really nice races like the Kilmore Cup.

“We will be there partially when some of their best horses are away either at the Eureka or getting over that campaign so the timing could work out well.

“But the plan is definitely to bring him back for the Cup and summer racing here.”

While Kango has yet to win a Group 1 he has beaten plenty of Group 1 horses in the last year, having downed Akuta in the Kaikoura Cup and Self Assured in the Roy Purdon Memorial in May.

Donnelly believes the giant pacer can continue to improve and the Australian campaign will help furnish him more.

Virginia Clowers looked a smart three-year-old filly in the autumn and she will target races like the Oaks and Breeders Crown in Victoria but will eventually join the Brent Lilley stable, which is where Donnelly’s pair will be staying during their campaign.

Kango won’t be the only loss to the northern open class ranks from Donnelly’s stable with both Rough And Ready and potential open classer Crusader sent to Sydney.

“There are just more opportunities around for them over there rather than worrying about their races not getting off the ground here.

“They haven’t been sold, just sent to race over there.”

by Michael Guerin for Harness Racing New Zealand