EASY FOR KAHDON IN VICTORIA OAKS
Mark Jones notched his 2nd Group One training win in feature 3YO trot features for the season when newcomer Kahdon delivered in the $A50,000 Dallas Building Victoria Oaks at Melton on Friday, June 11.
The Burnham trainer-driver had only been the official trainer of Kahdon for only six days, but his experience in campaigning horses in Australia, ensured there were no hiccups along the way.
Once he had an emergency passport rushed through last week, the rest of the Victoria Oaks mission went without a hitch.
The former world champion driver had previously tasted feature race successes in Australia, winning both the 2001 NSW Pacing Oaks and Australasian Breeders Crown 3YO Pacing Fillies Final with the Sparks A Flyin, and the 2001 Breeders Crown 3YO Trot Final with Locofoco.
Mark had no problems with Kahdon, working through the back row to find the back of second favourite Good Thanks (Chris Lang), who was on the move three wide in the middle stages.
Good Thanks worked to the front with 700m to run with Kahdon stalking her in the open.
Rounding the home turn, Kahdon strode clear and was untroubled to run clear by 7.4 metres over her closest rival, Jingling Silver, with a further 5.2 metres back to She’s Commando.
Africa’s daughter Amelia Darling, at long odds, ran on for 4th, with Good Thanks tiring in the run home to run 10th, 42.3m from the winner.
Kahdon, closely-related to former champion squaregaiter Lyell Creek, rated 2:03.4 for the mobile 2230m, with the leaders running their last 800m in 60.7s and final 400m in 30.2s.
Owner Peter Chambers, in NZ last week for the Harness Jewels, was unable to be on hand for the Group One win in Victoria. He was in London on business but was delighted with the result.
Mr Chambers acted quickly to purchase Kahdon when told she could be purchased by Christchurch agent Stu Bailey, following the withdrawal of Shezoneoftheboyz from the Harness Jewels 3YO Ruby.
Mr Bailey had also been instrumental in the purchase of Shezoneoftheboyz for the same owner a few months earlier.
Shezoneoftheboyz credited Mark Jones with his first Group One training win the NZ Trotting Derby at Addington on March 26.
Mr Chambers was well aware of Kahdon’s ability after Shezoneoftheboyz had raced Kahdon for much fo the last two months, and was keen to secure her for racing and breeding purposes.
Kahdon will remain in Victoria for heats of the Victoria Trotters Derby to be run on July 3, 7 and 10, with the $A75,000 Victoria Trotters Derby to be run at Maryborough on July 18.
She will also remain in Victoria for a crack at the $A93,000 Australasian Breeders Crown 3YO Trot Final at Tabcorp Park on August 22.
By Jeff Scott