News

Kid Choisir cheers up sick trainer

6th Aug 2011

West Australian - Robbie Edwards - Saturday, 6 August 2011

Kid Choisir turned the tables on arch rival All Friared Up to give trainer Allen McNamara a much needed boost in today’s Belmont Newmarket.

KID CHOISIR ($40,000 2008 Inglis Classic, 5g Choisir ex Friendly Seas) was beaten by 3/4 length by All Friared Up at their previous encounter in the Beaufine Stakes (1000m) a fortnight ago, but got the skip to hit the front inside the final 100 on the $3.30 favourite to run home a comfortable 3/4 length win over Shock Value ($7) with All Friared Up dashing home to finish third.

McNamara, who was at Belmont Park, was represented by his son Allen jr at the winner’s stall when jockey Paul Harvey return the rejuvenated five-year-old.

McNamara, who also has a trainer’s licence, had just returned from a stint in the North-West where he had been helping Great Southern trainer Dixie Solly.

“Dad has not been feeling too well,” McNamara said. “He had a massive heart-attack recently and has just been a bit off colour.”

McNamara said the new strategy to settle Kid Choisir further back in the field had contributed to the horse scoring the first feature race of the new season in WA.

The decision to settle him back has paid off,” he said. “He has done well down at Mt Barker where he is trained on the track and has a rural environment. “He will probably run again in the Goodwood Handicap in a fortnight.”

Punters were left stunned when topweight For Your Eyes Only left her rider Troy Turner standing in the stalls.

The classy mare reared as the gates opened leaving Turner hanging on to the side of the barrier gates. Stewards declared the $17 chance a definite starter.