An inside barrier draw has convinced John O’Shea to put Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit) on the float to Kembla Grange.
The appearance of Kirwin’s Lane at the meeting was contingent on him drawing a good gate and after landing barrier two in the field of 16 for Saturday’s Abax Contracting Handicap (1600m), O’Shea has confirmed the gelding will take his place.
The five-year-old has continued to improve with age and racing and again looks to have come back in good order judging by his luckless first-up sixth to Al Mah Haha (Al Maher) in the Goulburn Cup (1400m).
“He should have won the Goulburn Cup in a hand canter,” O’Shea said.
“He’s a horse that loves a soft draw.”
Significantly, Kirwin’s Lane has outstanding second-up statistics with two wins and two placings from four starts.
It is a record not lost on his trainer, who also nominated him for The Gong (1600m), and while Kirwin’s Lane failed to make the final field for the feature, O’Shea is hoping he can land a consolation win.
Out of the Savabeel mare Galway (NZ), a sister to stakes winners Shillelagh (NZ), Tullamore (NZ) and Grazia (NZ), Kirwan’s Lane was bought for $170,000 from the draft of Little Avondale Stud at Karaka in 2018 and sports the colours of prominent owner Ron Finemore.
