BENDIGO trainer Brad Cole believes he has found a key to success with his veteran middle-distance performer Kinjulator.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The now nine-year-old has raced four times on the quick back up during his years with Cole for a perfect four wins.
The Kinjite/Kashulator gelding confirmed Cole's opinion with his tough benchmark 52 victory on Tuesday's Hanging Rock Cup program at Kyneton.
For Kinjulator, it was his second run in four days after finishing fourth in last Saturday's Yea Cup (2140m).
Cole said there had been few other horses in his stable over the years that had tried harder than Kinjulator, who - in recent times - has been mixing his runs on the professional and picnic circuits.
"He's a nice old horse. He's not blessed with a lot of ability but he tries hard," he said.
"To be honest, it's the fourth time I've backed him up after three or four days and it's the fourth time he's won.
"It's a recipe I find works with him.
"We don't aim high with him, but looking back through his records, that's just the way it's gone with him.
"He's a seasoned old horse these days, so it (backing up) doesn't seem to worry him that much."
Cole said Kinjulator was fortunate to still be racing after he strongly contemplated retiring the horse 12-months ago.
"I couldn't give him away, no one wanted him, so I thought I might as well put him back into work," he said.
"He's won two races already this prep.
"He keeps me interested, he's a nice old horse to have around the place. I'm pretty happy with him."
His other win this campaign was in the Merton Cup on New Year's Day, giving Kinjulator his second success in the race, three years after his first victory in the race in 2018.
Kinjulator has earned a short break, with Cole eyeing off a few more of the remaining Cup races on the 2020-21 picnic program.
"We don't mind switching him from either circuit, he's nine-years-old now and in the twilight part of his career, but we don't mind while he's paying for his chaff," he said.
"A guy I part own him with down Wallan way (Tony Cozzolino) loves him to death and we enjoy racing him."
Down significantly in weight and with an edge in fitness, Kinjulator, who has won seven times in 54 career starts, was always going to be tough to beat at Kyneton, according to Cole.
"He's a rock-hard fit horse in a (benchmark) 52 that he's always been competitive in," the trainers said.
"He ran on Saturday at the picnics, but this was a much easier race than Saturday I thought.
"He was only a beaten a length and a half on Saturday and he dropped 12kgs n that.
"He was the only real natural leader in the race and he had plenty of fitness on them, so I knew he would take some running down."
Kinjulator was brilliantly ridden out in front by Chelsea Hall, who Cole said had suited the gelding to a tee.
"She's a good rider, Chelsea, and pretty experienced these days," he said.
READ MORE:
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.