Kennedy treble blows jockeys race wide open

The Great Southern jockeys’ premiership race appears set to come down to the wire after a Ben Kennedy treble at Percy Spencer Racecourse on Saturday breathed new life into the wide open race for the 2015-16 title, with only two meetings left this season.

The fourth Saturday fixture of the 2015-16 season further complicated the already intriguing battle in the jockeys’ award, with Kennedy’s treble lifting him within striking distance of current leader Brad Parnham.

Parnham, who rode at Asoct on Saturday, sits on top of the standings with 13 wins, but has fallen into the clutches of his rivals, with Albany based hoop Mitchell Pateman edging closer after he also rode a winner on the nine-race card.

Defending champion Shaun McGruddy, stable rider for the strong Steve Wolfe team, is serving a suspension that ends this Saturday, and he sits equal second with Pateman on 12 wins.

Kennedy is next with 10 victories after his first treble in the Great Southern this season, while the in-form Lisa Staples joined Takahide Ikenushi on eight after she notched a double on Saturday’s program.

With Parnham likely to ride at Ascot on Saturday, April 23, the same day as the next Albany meeting, he could succumb to the chasing pack.

Kennedy had not ridden a winner in Albany since January, but his top day in the saddle on Saturday included booting home $85 chance Starry Universe who was having his first start for trainer Roy Rogers in the Punters Day Club Maiden (1600m)

He also saluted aboard the Justin Warwick-trained Dangerous Game and rounded out the card with success aboard Potent Secret, which lumped 62kg in a super victory.

Despite his rise up the leaderboard, Kennedy said he was not really thinking about the jockeys’ title.

“I was really happy with (Saturday), I had a good book of rides and it was nice to get a couple of winners,” he said.

“Obviously I have missed some of the Albany season, but I’ve had great opportunity when I have been down and it’s always nice to try and get it (the title).

“Brad is riding really well though and he will be pretty hard to get over the top of.”

Kennedy confirmed he will ride at the final two Great Southern meetings this season, both of which are in Albany.