Kenning can't split his pair in Townsville Lightning

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Bill Kenning is hoping for a Cluden Park gold rush with a two-pronged attack on the Lightning Handicap in Townsville on Saturday.

Kenning’s star mare Roweiner’s Dance and former Brisbane sprinter Northern Express lead the stable charge. 

Kenning, who has six horses in training, can’t separate his pair and expects both will be hard to beat.

Roweiner’s Dance was a two-year-old when he broke the 1000 metre track record which has since been lowered at Cluden Park.

The four-year-old son of Sidestep is coming off a third to the Tom Button-trained Hellish in a 1000 metre Open Handicap on July 6.

“He needed the run as it was seven weeks between runs,” Kenning said.

“He had it won 50 metres out, but he just died on his run.

“Fitness won’t be a problem this time.”

Kenning has made an important gear change with Roweiner’s Dance who is chasing his 13th win in 24 starts.

“He jumped on his front heel a few starts back so I’m using heart bar plates on him for the first time,” Kenning said.

“He only hurt the one front leg, but you’ve got to use plates on both legs.”

Roweiner’s Dance was up for sale this time last year, but Kenning decided to keep him in North Queensland.

“He was getting weighted out of races here, so I put him on the market, but we didn’t get the price we wanted so I decided to keep him here,” Kenning said.

Kenning also expects a strong performance from Northern Express who started his career with Tony Gollan before being moved on to Toowoomba’s Michael Nolan.

Northern Express is chasing his first win for Kenning at only his fourth start for the stable and is coming off a fifth to Hellish in a 1200 metre Open Handicap in Townsville on July 19.

“He’s got a breathing problem and didn’t run out the 1200 metres last time,” Kenning said.

“He ran a blinder before when he ran second to Hellish the first time they met and he beat Roweiner’s Dance that day.

“Dropping back to 1000 metres will suit him.”

Roweiner’s Dance will be ridden by apprentice Gabrielle Semmens, who can’t utilise her claim, while heavyweight rider Ashley Butler will be legged up on Northern Express.

Kenning's runners are equal topweights with 61kgs.