Improving a horse that has passed through the esteemed stable of Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien presents a significant challenge.
Ballarat-based trainer Patrick Kearney is currently undertaking this task with Chief Little Rock, a former charge of Lloyd and Nick Williams that also spent time with Anthony and Sam Freedman.
Kearney acquired Chief Little Rock for $40,000 through an Inglis Digital Sale. The stayer is set to make his fourth appearance for the Ballarat trainer in the Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap (2500m) this Saturday.
Kearney characterised Chief Little Rock as a ‘project horse’ with no immediate lofty ambitions, though he indicated a desire to target the Tasmanian Summer Carnival early next year.
“This preparation we’re just working him out and spending time, finding his groove, and then next prep hopefully will be the making of him,” Kearney stated.
“He’ll probably go down to Tasmania for the Cups if he’s showing enough ability to be able to do that.
“He does have the ability. He was always going to be a project to see if we could find it (form) and find the bottom of the horse.
“He was brought over here with higher expectations which he hasn’t exceeded too yet.
“Hopefully we can get him right and eventually he can run in some of these nice races.”
Following two placings at Flemington for Kearney, Chief Little Rock showed an improved performance at Sandown on August 22 after a stint with hurdle schooling.
“He’s a tricky horse to ride,” Kearney commented.
“He’s very strong and doesn’t know how to come back.
“He was a pacemaker over in Ireland for Aidan O’Brien and we’re trying to do the complete opposite with him and get him to relax and chill out.
“He went so hard at Flemington the second time that I thought it would be best to give him a school over the hurdles to see it could bring him back a bit.
“He was excellent at it. It was good to see that as it is a possible back-up plan for the future if need be.”
Chief Little Rock, a winner at Group 3 level in Ireland with three additional Stakes placings in Europe, will carry 62kg on Saturday.
Kearney mentioned that it would have been logical to use a claiming apprentice on the gelding, but he has opted for Jason Holder instead.
“We had the option to claim with the massive eight kilo weight difference,” Kearney explained.
“But if I went over there and put an apprentice on that didn’t really know him, it would be suicide, so going with the leading rider over there, is probably the best option.
“This preparation is all about the project and the planning and seeing where he is at and what he needs to do.”
Consider placing a bet on Chief Little Rock’s chances at Morphettville this Saturday via Australian betting sites.
