Kango finally set to kick-start Aussie campaign

Top Kiwi horsewoman Arna Donnelly can be forgiven for being just a little frustrated with how Kango’s (American Ideal) Australian harness racing campaign has started.

I mean, how’s this for a run of events?

The giant gelding was a late scratching from the Minuteman Free For All on September 2 when he couldn’t be loaded onto the float, and was then unable to compete in the following Friday night’s VHRC Caduceus Classic due to the race falling within the automatic stand-down period.

Donnelly then decided a trial at Melton against Ladies In Red and co. was the go, but further transport issues meant he was also withdrawn from that hit-out on Monday night.

A private workout with a galloping pacemaker the following day was the next best option and his performance pleased Donnelly, who will now press on to this Sunday’s Community Bank Maryborough Gold Cup.

Donnelly said Kango had long had issues with floats, but felt the size of the one organized for September 2 would have been sufficient to get him loaded and off to Melton.

“We didn’t really have a truck as an option that night and we thought he’d go on this one, but it was not to be,” she said.

“We did try for probably 40 minutes or so, but it’s probably just a welfare thing in the end. He’s just going to hurt himself or hurt someone the way he was charging off.

“He’s quite a big horse and he gets a bit claustrophobic in the floats. It’s one of those things, you’ve just got to turn the page and move on.”

Donnelly said missing a start in the Caduceus Classic – won by Better Eclipse in a photo finish with Bulletproof Boy – was a “bitter pill to swallow”, but felt her horse was in great condition heading into Sunday’s country cup feature.

“He’s really good. He looks fantastic,” Donnelly said early this week.

“The weather hasn’t really been that warm to lose that last bit of his winter coat, but he’s eating good and his work has been really good…”

Kango is yet to win at Group 1 level in his homeland, but beat Pembrook Playboy and Akuta to claim the Kaikoura Cup during October 2022 and defeated Self Assured and Old Town Road in the Roy Purdon Memorial on May 19. He has not raced since his sixth placing in the Auckland Cup a week later.

While Donnelly’s charge brings some good formlines to his first-up Aussie assignment, he runs into a stunning field of rivals this Sunday.

Michael Stanley’s last-start Len Smith Mile winner and reigning Victoria Cup champ Rock N Roll Doo is drawn one to Kango’s outside in barrier 11, while Emma Stewart-trained runners Act Now – last year’s winner of the race – and Treachery are the other 120-raters engaged. Stewart stablemate Narutac Prince is back for his first run since last year’s Vicbred Super Series finals, Bettor Be The Bomb steps out for new trainer Sonya Smith and Courtney Laker’s emerging top-liner Curly James draws to chase the lead from gate four.

The Total Cool Maryborough Trotters Gold Cup is the other feature on Sunday’s card, with Ray Harvey’s grand campaigner The Penny Drops set to chase the race he won in 2021.

He will start off 20m, with Maori’s Idol Trotting Championship leader One Over All to begin from the 30m handicap for Jess Tubbs.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim O’Connor for Harness Racing Victoria