Ipswich opportunity for Jessica Kuhn stable

By Jordan Gerrans

Everything has come up Ipswich for in-form Central Queensland conditioner Jessica Kuhn.

The Rockhampton-based Kuhn has enjoyed the best start to a campaign of her five seasons training and she will have her first runners in South East Queensland this Friday.

She will present with first starter Etoile Fayre in the Maiden Plate over 1100 metres at Ipswich Turf Club alongside in-form stablemate Prepotent in the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1700 metres.

The 40-year-old Kuhn is based at Ipswich during her southern campaign as she spends time in the area to look after her sick father.

Etoile Fayre and Prepotent both have locally-based connections in their ownership group so racing at Ipswich works out perfectly for them to get to the track and watch their gallopers.

Prepotent has earned a trip south following a victory at Cluden Park in Townsville earlier this month on top of a trio of top three finishes at Rockhampton in his last five efforts.

The chestnut gelding has raced in the city when previously prepared by the Geran camp at Toowoomba and Kuhn thinks Prepotent should be competitive with regular hoop Chris McIver also making the trip south.

“I think he is at the best he has been,” the Central Queensland trainer said of Prepotent.

“We have encountered a few problems with the horse that have taken a few times to nut out, but I think we have got him right where we want him now.

“He is happy and healthy.

“He is performing really well under Chris, that combination, you couldn’t wish for better as the horse just loves Chris. He really runs for Chris.”

The son of More Than Ready came from last over a mile at Townsville earlier this month to finish over the top of the Benchmark 65 level field.

He steps up to 1700 metres on Friday and Kuhn has an 1800 metre event in mind following Friday’s event as he gradually steps up in distance during his SEQ sojourn. 

“He has always had the ability to run in this company,” Kuhn said.

“There are not many racing options for him in the north right now and he was about to start getting a bit too much weight, as well.

“It is just good timing to come down here so I thought I would bring a team down with me and have a crack at the big smoke while I am here.

“He has proven that he can run out the 2000 metres, he has placed at 1800 metres and we have pushed him out to 2200 metres before, as well.

“Hopefully with a bit of weight off his back on Friday he will be able to hold his own against the big boys.”

Riding trackwork has taken CQ’s Kuhn across Australia.

Growing up in Rockhampton, Kuhn began riding work as a teenager before relocating to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and then South Australia for a period of time to continue her involvement in the industry.

After working for several high-profile conditioners, the CQ horsewoman aims to implement those learnings into her methods.

She is in her fifth season training after kicking off in the 2021-22 campaign.

From just 29 runners this season, Kuhn has prepared four winners and seven minor placings.

She is on track to record her best season in terms of winners and strike-rate.

The Kuhn barn will debut Etoile Fayre on Friday following a promising Callaghan Park trial earlier this month.

Lightweight hoop McIver also takes the ride at Ipswich after being in the saddle at Rockhampton for filly’s trial.

“She ran a good trial, she ran third in Rocky,” Kuhn said.

“That was her first ever barrier trial and she has been improving out of sight every time we send her out there.

“It is her first time and she is away from everything she knows so it could work, or it won’t. The wet track is an unknown, as well.

“She is a travelling mate really and this race was just there for her. Hopefully it can work out.”

The Kuhn barn also had runners at Rockhampton on Thursday afternoon and will be represented at Yeppoon on Saturday also.

She prepares a team of seven while also having six two-year-olds in work that she is working towards their maiden campaigns.