LUKE Price won the Kembla Grange apprentices’ premiership in the 2003-04 racing year in his last season of riding.
Now, nearly two decades later, he and his father Rob are in a position to possibly scoop the pool at their home track’s season ending meeting tomorrow.
Father and son have the local trainers’ premiership in the bag, hold a seven-point lead over another father and son combination, Sydney’s Peter and Paul Snowden, in the all trainers’ premiership, and have a good chance of landing the Horse Of The Year title with the consistent Satness.
The Price boys have trained 11 winners at home this season (four more than closest rival Paul Murray) in the local premiership, and have amassed 84 points in the all trainers’ title, with the Snowdens on 77.
Whilst the local premiership is decided on wins, the all trainers’ premiership is different, with 3, 2 and 1 points awarded for placegetters in each race at the track.
Kembla’s Horse Of The Year is also decided on a points basis, with 8, 5, 3 and 2 awarded to the first four placegetters in each race.
Last start Gosford winner Satness is currently sharing second place with Burning Need (not a runner tomorrow) on 34 points, only a solitary point behind another local, Diane Poidevin Laine’s Spinpix.
It will all come down to the final race of the season, with both Satness (Adam Hyeronimus) and Spinpix (Grant Buckley) lining up against each other in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m).
Kembla Grange’s iconic late trainer Gwenda Markwell remarkably won the last 20 local premierships, and all but two of the all trainers’ titles in the same period (losing to Chris Waller in 2016-17, and James Cummings in 2019-20).
Her death last October after bravely battling cancer will result in a new winner in 2022-23 – and the Price boys, understandably, will be pleased to add their names alongside hers to the honour roll.
“It certainly would be nice if we could do it,” Luke Price said today.
The co-trainers have four acceptors for tomorrow’s meeting; Slickman and Karaoke King in the Class 1 Handicap (1400m), Kimberley Rain in the Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1400m), and of course Satness.
“No doubt Satness is our best chance,” Luke Price said today.
“He has drawn a bit sticky in a big field, and hopefully Adam (Hyeronimus) can get him into a good position.
“We would prefer him not to lead, and it would be ideal if he could settle one out and one back as he did when winning at Gosford last time.
“Whilst Satness has won only the two races (both at Gosford), he is a very consistent horse (placing no less than 14 times from 30 starts) and goes so well at home.
“He has been placed eight times at home and, whilst he hasn’t won here, tomorrow would surely be a good time to do it.”
Peter and Paul Snowden are not conceding the all trainers’ premiership to the Kembla father and son, and have five acceptors; Prince Of Arendell, Andronicus, Saroyan, Pennypacker and Reggie’s Folly (who is first reserve in Satness’ race and needs a withdrawal to secure a start).
Provincial pacesetter Keagan Latham has the jockeys’ premiership sewn up with 95 points (closest rival Koby Jennings is nearly 30 behind), and Zac Lloyd (29) leads Tyler Schiller (26) in the race to clinch the apprentices’ title.
. The rail is 6m out from the 1100m to the winning post, and 3m for the remainder of the circuit. Course manager Dave Anderson has posted a “Good 4” rating, with only 4mm of rain recorded in the past seven days (nil in the last 24 hours).
*Words John Curtis, July 26, 2023 - Pics Bradley Photos*
KEMBLA GRANGE PREMIERSHIP STANDINGS
ALL TRAINERS (Based on 3,2,1 points system)
Robert & Luke Price 84
Peter & Paul Snowden 77
John O’Shea 60
James Cumings 49
LOCAL TRAINERS (Wins)
Robert & Luke Price 11
Paul Murray 7
Gwenda Markwell (deceased) 6
Ross McConville 3
Theresa Bateup 3
Kerry Parker 3
JOCKEYS (Based on 3,2,1 points system)
Keagan Latham 95
Koby Jennings 66
Alysha Collett 64.5
Jeff Penza 62
APPRENTICES (Based on 3,2,1 points system)
Zac Lloyd 29
Tyler Schiller 26
Jackson Searle 23
Amy McLucas 23
HORSE OF THE YEAR (Based on 8,5,3,2 points system)
Spinpix (Diane Poidevin Laine) 35
Burning Need (Ross McConville) 34
Satness (Robert & Luke Price) 34
Devil Dan (Paul Murray) 25
Zarni (Paul Murray) 25
SELECTIONS - Michael Craig
Race 1:
2 Irish Anthem no luck at Newcastle
1 Devon County fitter for 2 recent trials
3 Ten Downing Street will be working home
Race 2:
4 Magic has plenty of ability
2 Drialle trialled nicely in 2 outings
1 Avonview good chance on debut
Race 3:
7 Densaur could improve sharply
2 Windmill Road recent trial winner
9 Gypsy King badly away last start
Race 4:
7 Saroyan looks ready to produce best form
1 Andronicus got a long way back at first start
2 Supreme Command narrowly beaten last start
Race 5:
3 Skylight Song beaten fav. at last 2 runs
8 Karaoke King just missed at Goulburn
7 Ninja Star could be hard to hold out
Race 6:
1 Pennypacker nearing peak form
5 Almahero can improve sharply
11 Deni Gal not a bad effort at Randwick
Race 7:
6 Cobia flashed home at Newcastle
5 Shezanalister bigger track should suit
1 Fangela usually performs well fresh
Race 8:
3 Alfano big win here 2 starts back
10 Silk Tie ran on well at Canterbury
8 Kozluca looks to be hitting best form
Comments