Trainor stable star has gone to another level

Former Kiwi harness racing horseman Jack Trainor is starting to get “the Stylish Memphis” feeling about his new stable star Braeview Kelly (Bettor’s Delight).

And that’s why he is daring to try and beat Australia’s champion mare Ladies In Red on her own patch in Saturday night’s (Oct. 29) $100,000 Group 1 Queen Of The Pacific (2760m) at Melton.

The Kiwi connection runs deep with Braeview Kelly coming across from NZ in July and Trainor bookin champion former Kiwi driver Anthony Butt to take the reins.

Braeview Kelly has been a revelation since joining Trainor’s stable with six wins and two seconds from eight starts, all at Menangle.

“To be honest, I was only 50-50 on sending her down a couple of weeks ago, but she’s gone to another level,” Trainor said.

“Since she ran second to Tay Tay, she’s come into her own. Her (winter) coast has dropped and she’s bouncing around the place.

“You could see the difference around the stables and it didn’t surprise me when she came out and dominated last Saturday night.”

Braeview Kelly thrashed her rivals by 16.2m at Menangle last Saturday and sliced a full second off her personal best with a scorching 1min49.6sec mile.

“She felt great. She really just jogged the 1min49.6sec the other night. I had to give her the chance in Melbourne after that,” Trainor said.

“I’ve been asked a few times how she stacks up against Stylish Memphis and I’ve sort of felt bad comparing her … until now.

“I’m not saying she’s as good as her, but she’s starting to give me that feeling. She’s closing the gap. Judging on how she’s been for the past couple of weeks, there’s not much between them.”

Trainor’s excitement aside, he knows the enormity of the challenge this week.

“We’re taking on one of the best, not just now, but Ladies In Red might be one of the best mares of all time,” he said.

“I’d love to think we’re good enough to test them, but just being competitive would be a buzz.

“Ladies In Red is amazing. Her win was something else last week and I thought Tough Tilly’s run was huge, too.

“It’s clearly a big step-up for my mare, but the draw has been kind.”

Braeview Kelly has gate four with Tough Tilly just outside in her five and Ladies In Red off the back row.

The task has been made slightly easier with the scratching of Treachery, who has enjoyed a fantastic season and ran a fantastic third to Ladies In Red last week.

Ladies In Red’s driver David Moran welcomed the stretch from 2240m to 2760m this week.

“The further they go the better for her, but she just never seems to draw well in these big races,” he said.

“It won’t be easy from the back row, especially with Tough Tilly likely to find the front without having to work too hard.

“Ladies In Red was mighty last week, but she’s going to have to do all the work again.”

Trainor said his Plan A was to try and cross those on his inside and sit on Tough Tilly.

“I’d love to be first to the front and sit on Tough Tilly because you know she’ll hold the front and Ladies In Red will have to come around and put the pressure on at some stage,” he said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand