Michael Kemp
It was a very special weekend for Michael Kemp, assistant trainer to wife Hazel.
At his surprise 70th birthday party on Saturday night,which featured a tribute band of his beloved Beatles, Michael admitted he was just as excited about the following night.
The kennel’s newest arrival Slippy Maggie (Godsend-Mays Bodyguard) was due to make her racing debut. Despite having handled a number of decent hounds over the years – Any Dak, Bodell Clare and Slippy Maska to name but three – Michael believed Slippy Maggie might prove to be the best of the lot.
Although drawn against the talented Bombers Bullet in the heats of the Henlow Maiden Gold Cup, kennel and connections were happy to take the 4-1 on offer. Their faith was well founded.
Although led up by the Mark Wallis’ favourite, Maggie surged clear at the fifth bend and pulled away to win by three lengths in 32.99 (N), the fastest of the round.
Hazel Kemp said: “What a weekend for Michael. Like Slippy Maska, she came from the father and son team of Leo and John Geoghegan from Limerick.
“Leo told Michael how highly he rated Maggie in the middle of last year, but she came into season in August so was off the track all that time.
“We have been patient with her but that was her first ever race and to run as well as she did in good company was just amazing.”
To put the run into some perspective, Jet Stream Sound’s 32.87 track record was recorded on going rated .20 fast.
The meeting also featured an 11-1 treble for Carol Weatherall. Quickest of her trio and the only male winner of a heat was Inky Holdem (Kinloch Brae-Thelmas Delight, Jul 15) who caught early leader Clash and beat him by three quarters of a length in 33.21. Calico Tiny (Holdem Spy-Wont Fall Behind, Aug 15) led from trap to line in 33.60. Slaneyside Twirl (Holdem Spy-Sandyhill Jenny, Aug 14) got home by a short head in 33.78.
Heather Dimmock’s Black Eyed Hula (Iso Octane-Hula Baloo, Sep 15) made it six wins from her last ten races with a 33.22 win. Kevin Place’s 29.65 (500) Nottingham winner Merry Miss (Taylors Sky-Rosies Champ, Nov 15) made all to win her heat in 33.31.
