Kelley hoping to repeat Acton Track success

Canberra hosts a rare Saturday meeting tomorrow and Canberra Trainer Matthew Kelley will be hoping to repeat the efforts that saw him train three of the six winners at Thoroughbred Park back on Friday, 17 May.

Kelley has five gallopers entered for the Acton Track meeting, including the evergreen Starliv who was a brilliant winner in the TAB Federal (1080m) a fortnight ago.

She will be looking for back-to-back TAB Federal wins when she contests this Saturday’s feature, this time over 1206m.

The seven-year-old mare was almost retired before a significant turn around in her form in late March, and Trainer Matthew Kelley says those plans have certainly been shelved.

“Strike when the iron is hot.” Kelley said of his mare’s form. “She’s telling us she wants to keep racing so until that changes, she’ll race on.”

“She was great last start, she loves this Polytrack. Every jump-out she’s ever had on it she’s won by the length of the straight.”

A seven-time winner, Starliv has drawn barrier 9 tomorrow, where in-form apprentice Coriah Keatings will look to be positive.

“We’ll look to punch forward.” Kelley said. “Ideally we will cross and lead but we can sit outside leader, we’ll just keep her in her rhythm.”

Kelley trained three winners on this surface last time, with all three, Starliv, Champagne In Lace & Grins, entered again tomorrow. 

Kelley says all of his five runners are a chance but thinks another track specialist could be the best chance of the lot.

“I think with even luck, all of my runners tomorrow can win but I think Champagne in Lace who was a good winner last start is my best.” 

Racing begins tomorrow at Thoroughbred Park at 1:31pm.