CLAREMONT trainer Geoff Kennedy hasn’t had a racing dog in his kennel for some time but it looks as if he is back in business with well bred pup Premier Port that won at his first try for his new trainer in Hobart last week.
Premier Port’ (Premier Fantasy-Portlee) had a handful of starts for Keith Nichols who sold the pup to Kennedy about a month ago.
The dog won race for Joan Nichols over the short course (298m) in Launceston in January but he ran last at his subsequent outing and had poor form on paper form when he arrived in Kennedy’s care.
Premier Port quickly responded to Kennedy’s training regime and while the dog was listed as a reserve last Thursday night the trainer was adamant the dog would be competitive if he gained a start.
Kennedy was right, much to his delight as Premier Port paid $10 for the win and a healthy $3,60 the place.
The son of Premier Fantasy began well from box five and had the fence by the time they reached the 340-metre boxes.
He held sway by two lengths turning for home and maintained that advantage to the line over Bronzed Up with Smiley On Fore three lengths astern.
Premier Port stopped the clock at 26.76 which was little to write home about but no doubt he will be able to improve on that as he progresses through the grades.
The dog is out of Portlee (x Brett Lee) that only had 23 starts for four wins and seven minor placings but two of her wins were on Melbourne metropolitan tracks at Sandown and The Meadows.
Listen to what Geoff Kennedy had to say to Peter Staples after the dog’s Hobart win – click here