Free Carry chases Newmarket glory

By Glenn Davis

Townsville trainer Bill Kenning is hoping former Brisbane sprinter Free Carry can halt rival Lachie Manzelmann’s Cairns Cup carnival gold rush in the Newmarket at Cannon Park on Friday.

“I’ve had runners in the Cairns Newmarket before, but I think my best finish was second one year,” Kenning said.

“I was going to start Free Carry in the Townsville Cup, but when he drew the outside barrier there was no point starting him.

“There was some doubt about him running 2000 metres in the Townsville Cup, so he’s probably better suited in the Newmarket as he’s won over 1400 metres.

“Instead of the Townsville Cup, I decided to freshen him up for the Newmarket.”

Kenning, who turns 70 in November, prepares a team of five in Townsville and still rides his horses in trackwork.

He was a popular jockey when he rode around South East Queensland and rode numerous winners for the late Pat Duff before moving to Townsville. 

Kenning’s biggest win as a jockey came in the 1997 Townsville Cup on Only Chance, who he also rode to victory in the Rockhampton Cup that year.

“I won the Townsville and Rockhampton Cups on Only Chance when I was riding,” Kenning said.

“I can still ride all my horses in trackwork.”

Kenning’s trackwork routine includes regular trips to the beach, where he often takes Free Carry.

“I’m a big believer in going to the beach and Free Carry loves going there,” Kenning said.

“I work most of my horses at the beach rather than going to the track of a morning.

“Free Carry is a nice horse and he seems to have turned the corner since I’ve taken him to the beach for work.”

Free Carry was formerly trained in Brisbane by Tony Gollan and is yet to miss a pay cheque in four starts for Kenning.

The seven-year-old son of Bon Hoffa is coming off a last-start second to the Garry Dickson-trained Aged Care in a 1609 metre Open Handicap in Townsville on August 1.

“He’s still got the same owners as he had when he was in Brisbane with Tony Gollan and all his owners live here in Townsville,” Kenning said.

“He’s stepping up to the big boys now, but he’s spot on so he has to be some chance.

“Lachie (Manzelmann) is firing at the moment, so we’ll need to keep an eye out for his runners.”

Manzelmann dominated the opening day of the Cairns carnival last week, winning all three features, with The Driller in the Cairns Amateur Cup, Lightning Handicap with Cochrane and the Belle Of The Daintree with Miss Moneypenny.