SENTIMENT doesn’t guarantee success.
But it’s doubtful there will be a more popular result if Killer Kerr at Hawkesbury on Saturday earns a place in the $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 13 on Day 2 of The Championships.
Kembla Grange trainer Peter Green will return to his former stamping ground to run the well-named daughter of Shooting To Win in the third Qualifying heat (1400m) – restricted to eligible provincial-trained horses only - of this year’s series.
The first two placegetters will join Territory Express, Willaidow, current favorite Tavi Time and Nosey Parker in the richest ever PMC Final.
Green has revealed the story behind the many new owners in Killer Kerr after tragedy struck last August.
Green’s smart mare Star Mission, who cost only $6000 as a yearling at Scone in 2020 and had won three races and been placed seven times (including once in town), died from a anaphylactic shock on August 11 last year.
“She had a terrible reaction to an anti-biotic and was dead in three minutes,” Green said.
“Star Mission had been given an anti-biotic many times before, and there was never any drama.
“This came totally out of the blue and we were all left pretty devastated.
“We had bought Killer Kerr as a yearling in Sydney in 2021 at the Inglis Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association sale as a GBR (Green Brothers Racing) horse for $6500.
“Belsin Thoroughbreds (Maurice Sinclair and Colin Bell) joined us, and Killer Kerr hadn’t won a race but was placed five times from her first eight starts before we lost Star Mission.
“When that happened, especially as many of Star Mission’s owners were newbies and a number of them good mates with my brother Clint through playing soccer, we decided to give them all an opportunity to race Killer Kerr at a small fee – and many of them got involved.
“We just wanted to repay their loyalty by giving them the chance to be involved racing a nice horse who had shown ability from early on.”
Peter and Clint Green’s generous move has paid dividends for those who joined the syndicate.
Killer Kerr won two of her first three starts this preparation, including a $50,000 Super Maiden (1200m) on resumption at Nowra in December, and also was narrowly beaten in a Class 1 Handicap (1350m) at Wyong.
Green had hoped to run Killer Kerr in Kembla Grange’s opening Qualifier last Thursday, but when she drew poorly instead took her to Rosehill Gardens a day earlier for a midweek Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).
“She ran ninth, but I wasn’t disappointed at all with her run as she was a Benchmark 62 rater and was beaten only four lengths,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we have drawn poorly for another Provincial-Midway Qualifier on Saturday (16 in a field of 16), but she is going to run.
“I’ll leave it up to her rider Brock Ryan, but there is plenty of speed drawn out wide and hopefully he can get some good cover even if she is three deep.
“At her current price ($41 after $61 was offered), I feel she is overs.
“Killer Kerr can definitely be competitive if things go her way.
“It will be a wonderful thrill for all concerned if she can qualify for the Final.”
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HOOFNOTE: Star Mission’s death occurred only two weeks after Green had relocated from Hawkesbury to Kembla Grange.
He has five horses in work, and is also assisting fellow trainer Ben Smith, who is campaigning in Melbourne at present.
Story John Curtis, March 7, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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