Jovanovic Eyes Fourth Sprint Crown

MASTER South Australian trainer Petar Jovanovic is upbeat about his chances of claiming a fourth Group 1 Crocmedia National Sprint Championship with Cairnlea Kenny at Sandown Park next Friday night (August 24).

MASTER South Australian trainer Petar Jovanovic is upbeat about his chances of claiming a fourth Group 1 Crocmedia National Sprint Championship with Cairnlea Kenny at Sandown Park next Friday night (August 24).

Jovanovic has celebrated National Sprint glory on three occasions; going back-to-back with SA representatives Scenic Spa and Stetson in 1985-86 and then adding a third title with Victorian rep Shayne's Champ in 1996.

It was second time lucky in the SA National Sprint Final last Thursday for Cairnlea Kenny, an April '15 son of Premier Fantasy and Cairnlea Ellie, which was named by late breeder Peter Hubbard after close mate, Port Adelaide AFL coach Ken Hinkley.

Cairnlea Kenny's National Sprint qualification is a timely fillip for Hinkley after agonising losses in the last two matches have seriously jeopardised Port Adelaide's finals prospects.

"Peter (Hubbard) and Ken were the best of mates, but Peter passed away suddenly about 18 months ago after suffering a heart attack," Jovanovic explained.

"Ken loves the dogs and he basically manages them for Peter's wife, Jan. It gives him an outlet and he probably needs one after the weekend!"

In last year's state decider Cairnlea Kenny ran a close second to On Fire, which went on to finish runner-up to Queenslander Jury in the Grand Final at Albion Park.

Cairnlea Kenny ran second to Nations in his SA Sprint heat, beaten only three-quarters, and was a solidly-supported $4 chance from box seven in last Thursday's final behind $2.40 favourite Honcho Monelli and $2.80 second elect Nations, both trained by Tony Rasmussen.

Cairnlea Kenny speared across to lead from his wide alley and in a dominant front-running exhibition he defeated Honcho Monelli by 5.25 lengths in a best of night 29.73, his 18th win from 48 starts.

With his sights set on a fourth National Sprint triumph, Petar Jovanovic says Cairnlea Kenny compares favourably with his three previous winners.

"Scenic Spa was an out and out champion – the elite type of dog you don't get very often – but I'd say Cairnlea Kenny is as good as Stetson and probably better than Shayne's Champ," Jovanovic offered.

"I didn't mind him being drawn in seven last week. You couldn't be confident because there were some good dogs in the race but I said to Ken (Hinkley) that if he boxes he'll get across, barring bad luck or something unforeseen happening.

"In his first main preparation, when he was going good this time last year, he wasn't a brilliant beginner but he used to come home real hard, He's showing more pace now; maybe because he's older and he wants to get the race over and done with!

"He hasn't been over-raced because he's had some muscular issues – just minor little things – and I've taken my time with him. He's a professional dog with a perfect temperament and he can run time. Everyone over here (South Australia) has seen him run time."

Cairnlea Kenny's National Sprint prospects received a massive boost later last Thursday night when he drew box one for next Friday's Grand Final, having won seven of his 11 starts from the red, with three minor placings.

Ladbrokes have installed Cairnlea Kenny as the $4.50 second elect, with Victorian Big Flood the $2.50 favourite from box two.
"The draw puts him in the race," Jovanovic said.

"I think it gives him his best chance in this particular race. Off the red he can make his own luck and as long as he doesn't do anything stupid I think he's going to be competitive, whereas if he drew four or five and you get a touch you're out of it.

"I think he's as good as the dogs over there, it's just that I race here and they race over there. Our good dogs in South Australia are good, it doesn't matter where we go. But there are more good dogs over there.

"Big Flood is a good dog but if Cairnlea Kenny boxes like he can I think he'll box with Big Flood at the worst and if he can muster and hold the fence and handle the first turn he'll be leading down the back and they've got to run him down.

"He's raced at The Meadows before but not at Sandown so I'll take him over for a trial."

There were very mixed emotions for Jovanovic and owner Jan Hubbard in the state finals with exciting staying prospect Cairnlea Jet, a younger half-brother to Cairnlea Kenny, sent out a prohibitive $1.40 favourite in the Distance event.

However, the March '16 son of Bekim Bale and Cairnlea Ellie could only finish a weakening fourth to Kim Johnstone's upset 43.51 winner Velocity Lilly.

"I was half-expecting it," Jovanovic admitted.

"Ever since we've had greyhounds, which is a very long time, I've found that their second run over the distance is usually their worst. He ran second at his first 700 and then he ran a really fast time (43.09) at his next start, which was a real gut-buster.

"He felt fine and everything seemed okay but they can't talk so you just don't know and he pulled up a little bit sore as well.
"I'm not disappointed because I know I've got a good stayer coming up and I think he'd be one of the youngest dogs going over the distance in the country as well."

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