Racing: Kaos arouses interest in Australia

By BARRY STREET

Trainer Donna Logan is reluctant to sell Komplete Kaos, even though it was only a maiden race the 3-year-old filly won at Te Aroha on Saturday.

"Every horse has its price," Logan said after she received an Australian sale inquiry for Komplete Kaos on Saturday night.

"But this filly is definitely full of potential and on the way up. I'd rather keep her going myself to fly the stable flag.

"It's the same with Victory Smile, who I could have sold recently, no trouble, to Singapore. His owners didn't want to sell, and I'm glad they didn't.

"As of last Friday the stable was the fifth leading Auckland-Waikato team in the premiership behind [those of] Paul O'Sullivan, Colin Jillings and Richard Yuill, Stephen and Trevor McKee and Roger James.

"Over the years I've sold heaps of horses, but right now I'd prefer to retain the up-and-comers to keep the stable up there high on the board."

Komplete Kaos earned the dubious reputation last spring of being the best non-winner in the country after a fourth in the Lindauer Guineas Trial, third in the Lindauer Guineas, second in the Waikato Guineas, third in the New Zealand Derby Prelude and a desperately-unlucky seventh in the Avondale Guineas.

Saturday's Jardine Thoroughbred Services 1400 was her first race this year and a far cry from group racing.

Even so, Logan was apprehensive about it because Komplete Kaos was only between 80 and 90 per cent fit.

"She weighed 453kg before the Avondale Guineas," Logan said, "and last week she was 479kg, bearing, you might say, a good bit of puppy fat.

"I really didn't expect her to win so well [by three and a half lengths] and wouldn't have been shocked if she'd got the stitch and been beaten. It just goes to show how much stronger she has become."

Logan will be looking at Australian options in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, with a current preference for the South Australian Oaks, after Komplete Kaos's next race.

That will be in the $100,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Classique, a 1600m for 3-year-olds of both sexes, at Tauranga next Saturday week.

In that race she faces clashes with top Matamata filly Butterscotch and Te Awamutu gelding Lord Romar, who beat her in the New Zealand Derby Trial.

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Takanini 2-year-old Sedecrem (Mercedes spelt backwards) deserved a bravery medal for retaining an unbeaten record, two from two, in the Fairview Ford Juvenile at Te Aroha.

The Faltaat colt was in all sorts of bother with 600m to run, cast a plate and trod on nails three times.

In pain, he then lost lengths veering to the outside rail, only to rally and flash the final 200m to score by a length going away from a promising first starter and recent four-length trials winner, Meiner Emperor.

By the worst luck, Sedecrem's condition yesterday was grim, greatly reducing his chance of attempting a hat-trick of wins in the $120,000 Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, a group one 1400m, at Awapuni next Saturday week.

"He's a very sore horse with three punctures in his near forefoot," co-trainer Richard Yuill reported.

"It's probable he'll remain lame for at least the next couple of days. The holes are quite deep."

Keeping Sedecrem's wounds free of infection was another worry, Yuill said.

A fortnight ago the Colin Jillings-Richard Yuill stable had hopes of a two-prong attack on the Manawatu Sires' Produce with crack filly Flying Babe as well as with Sedecrem.

But the scenario is no longer as bright. Flying Babe is still coughing occasionally after a virus that has ruled her out as a starter in the $45,000 Ford Two-year-old Classic and $35,000 NZISS bonus at New Plymouth next Saturday.

It can only be hoped that her problem clears up this week so she can be stepped up again in her training.