GIVE Joe Ible a tried horse, and there’s a 34 per cent chance he’ll win first up for you.
The Kembla Grange trainer has a remarkable record of winning 12 times from 34 tried horses (34.3 per cent strike rate) he has started fresh from other stables.
And that figure, which he is understandably proud of, includes five from six this season; Ninja Star being the latest to score at her first start for him at Moruya last Friday, breaking through at her 14th appearance.
Ible’s outstanding fresh record with “blow-ins” from other stables, which surely cannot be matched, is something which clearly hasn’t happened overnight.
“I’ve placed a lot of focus on getting the best out of horses coming to us from elsewhere,” he said last night.
“They have either lost form or not performing up to expectations, so my first mission is to find out if there is a slight injury and then do the very best we can to improve them.
“It’s hard work for sure, but it’s paying off.”
Ible has four acceptors for his home track meeting tomorrow – but only two of them are likely to line up, and one of them presents him with the chance to add to that superb first-up record.
That is recent Victorian acquisition Eagle Hawk Star, who is topweight for the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1300m), and Jean Van Overmeire will ride.
The Star Turn four-year-old is a winner at two of his 10 starts, and comes off a last start third in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1208m) on a heavy Moe surface on July 6.
“Eagle Hawk Star is a lovely horse and, previously being trained by Greg Eurell, came to me in excellent order,” Ible said.
“His owners decided to send him to me, believing he is an ideal type for the Midway Handicaps.
“Obviously I haven’t had him long, but he has settled in nicely.
“Eagle Hawk Star has drawn awkwardly, but is a get back type of horse with a strong finish.
“This race at home is a good opportunity to gauge where we are at with him.”
Ible’s other definite runner is Mil Ciento (Mitchell Bell), who has also drawn awkwardly in the Class 1 Handicap (1500m).
“He’s a bit of a thinker, and has won only the one race from 14 starts,” he said.
“But he races well at home, where he has been placed five times from seven starts.”
Ible accepted with Sundida (3YO Maiden Handicap, 1500m) and Sturty (2YO Maiden Plate, 1000m), but has indicated neither will run.
“We’ll wait for Nowra on Sunday with Sundida, and Sturty, who would have been my first two-year-old starter this season, instead may go to Gosford on Saturday.”
Ible, who began training in 2012 and relocated from Canberra in mid-winter two years ago to position himself closer to the city, is enjoying his best season with 19 wins so far.
Not only is it the latter, but he also raised the bat for a career century of winners when Zedly scored at his former home track in April; 103 being his current tally.
“I set a goal at the start of the season to get 20 winners, and I’ll be trying hard to get at least another one before the season finishes at the end of the month,” he said.
“We had around 12-15 horses in the first half of this season, and have built the number up to between 20-25 in the last half.
“I’m keen to end the season on a positive note, and look forward to the new season starting next month.”
Including tomorrow, there are only two more meetings left in the 2022-23 racing year at Kembla Grange. The curtain comes down with another Thursday fixture next week.
Two father and son duos are fighting out the All Trainers’ Premiership, which is decided on a 3,2 and 1 points basis at Kembla meetings. Locals Robert and Luke Price (81 points) currently lead Sydney’s Peter and Paul Snowden (77 points).
As far as the local premiership is concerned, the Prices with 11 wins so far this season have a four-win advantage over Paul Murray.
NSW provincial jockeys’ premiership front-runner Keagan Latham (95 points) is a runaway leader in the Kembla premiership - also decided on a 3,2 and 1 points system - from Koby Jennings (66) and Jeff Penza (62).
The apprentices’ title is up for grabs, however, with Jackson Searle, Zac Lloyd and Amy McLucas all currently tied on 23 points.
. The rail is 3m out for the entire circuit tomorrow, and course manager Dave Anderson has posted a “Good 4” rating.
*Words John Curtis, July 19, 2023 - Pics Bradley Photos*
SELECTIONS - Michael Craig
Race 1:
4 Nanshe will be better suited on this track
1 Burns To Embrace will benefit form one run back
2 Huracanevo worth another chance
Race 2:
1 Enotis narrowly beaten when resuming
4 Rabairneach is never far away
3 Our Maryanne handy effort on debut
Race 3:
5 I Stole It not far away from a win
7 Galactic Miss honest run first up
1 Allebasi looks promising
Race 4:
8 Full Revolution beaten fav. last start
15 Well Timed recent trial winner
3 Life Coach could perform well on debut
Race 5:
5 Sunzou big chance first up
2 Boomsong solid effort at H’bury
10 Dancing Alone hard to leave out
Race 6:
5 Double Scoop continues to improve
6 Queen Astrid finished strongly at Wyong
1 Asva nice run in similar company last start
Race 7:
6 Selfless Act had no luck at Gosford
1 Eagle Hawk former Victorian with good strike rate
7 Oh Golly Gosh goes well fresh
Race 8:
14 Venetian Blue has been racing in stronger grade
7 Deep Voyage will be hard to run down
3 Fleet Commander nice win 2 starts back
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