By Jason Adams
Kuro Kismet made the perfect start to his staying campaign with a grinding win at Sandown Park last Thursday night.
He was fair to begin then found himself in a sticky position under pressure and handled it well. He was in pursuit of leader Nikoli Bale and eventually passed him in the closing stages to win by just over a length.
“He had to work really hard for it. I thought as long as he got to the flag (Australian flag half way up the home straight) cleanly he was going to be alright. During the race I thought we’re not making any ground on this dog, but he just kept coming,” said proud trainer Matt Clark.
Clark plans to keep ‘Sox’, as he’s known at home, racing over the 600m distance range but does have ambitions to step him up further.
“To win the big sprint races you need that explosive early speed and he hasn’t got that so it was time to step him up. We’ll keep racing over this trip, I won’t be rushing to get him over ‘700’ but we hope to get there.”
Kuro Kismet is owned by Mel Mayle and her father Bruce Waugh who have become very close friends with Clark and his wife Bianca over the journey.
“She’s rapt. They’re really good people, we just love them.
“Mel was at Warragul this afternoon with a dog that’s not blessed with a lot of ability. She’s got one at that end of the scale and at the other end with a city win tonight, she absolutely loves them both.”
Kuro Kismet has been the shining light of the Clark team this year highlighted by his Launching Pad win in April, however he was open in saying that it hasn’t all been smooth sailing behind the scenes.
“People often say to us that we’re having a good run but there’s been some tough moments this week that people don’t see. As recently as midnight last night Bianca was at the vet with Dani Thrills as she needed to have pups by cesarean which fortunately went well.”
Kuro Kismet is likely to race at The Meadows on Thursday in Grade 5 heats over 600 metres. The card will also see Victorian finals of the National Sprint and Distance series. With racing at The Meadows next Thursday the Sandown Park meeting will be on Saturday August 14.
