Thursday, 5 March 2009

Warrnambool trainer Jarrod McLean has built a reputation for rebuilding the careers of horses with problems and has today taken delivery of his latest challenge after 2007 VRC Derby winner Kibbutz arrived at his stable on Thursday morning.

The former David Hayes-trained galloper has been a shadow of his former self in his past two preparations, failing to finish any higher than seventh in his six runs since his Derby triumph.

McLean has had success with gallopers with problems, including the likes of Cargo Cult who he managed to get a listed win out of last year and a group one placing in the 2008 Futurity Stakes behind Niconero.

“We have had a bit of luck with horses that have problems,” McLean said.

“It’s because we have a smaller stable, we only have about 21 in work at any one time and have the time to put into these horses like Kibbutz and can get them right.”

McLean has had Kibbutz as a temporary guest in his stable prior to taking him on full time from today, doing plenty of work with him late last year.

“He was down with me after David (Hayes) aborted his spring campaign, I worked with him until New Year’s Day before he went back to his stable to prepare for the autumn,” McLean said.

“The OTI Syndicate have been great supporters of mine, especially after Cargo Cult did well and they have given me another great opportunity with another good horse.

“The beach work helps them with their problems, Kibbutz has feet problems and the salt water and cantering on the sand will help.

“He turned up here this morning and he’s another challenge for me and I’m looking forward to getting into.

“There are no set plans for Kibbutz at this stage but he’s a high class horse and if I can get him right, I can have a runner in the better class races and , you never know, maybe even a Cups runner.”

You know its funny, at its previous start to the Derby I backed Kibbutz (EW luckily) at the Valley on Plate day when it charged home from last around the turn to get 2nd to Marching and I followed it to the Derby and backed it and the loyalty paid off, at this stage I really thought he was somehting. I know hes since had injuries etc. but I just really think hes not as good as we all thought, and it turns out as I was thinking for a while but just couldnt believe, that the 3YO form of that year was just simply rubbish, this has also since been proved because if you havent figured out, anything with that Marching/ Playwright form is rubbish. I still think Kibbutz has pontential though and I want to see him running well again so lets wish this guy some luck!

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