Conners ready to head south

CLARRY Conners is hopeful of finally getting interstate horse movement restrictions lifted to enable top three-year-olds Kick 'N Chase and Apercu to get to Melbourne for the Australian Guineas next year.
Kick 'N Chase earned his chance to contest the rich Group I classic when he powered home for an impressive win in the Cargo Bar Handicap (1300m) at Randwick yesterday.
This might be Kick 'N Chase's last Sydney run for a while if Conners gets his way.
"I've been having discussions with (chief steward) Ray Murrihy and the DPI and there's a good chance I'll be able to get Kick 'N Chase and Apercu to Melbourne soon," Conners said.
"Both horses will have to go into quarantine here at Canterbury and there's a good chance they will be able to serve their quarantine time in Melbourne out at Sandown.
"The good thing is that because both of these horses got EI and were vaccinated, they will only need to serve three days in quarantine here and then in Melbourne."
The relaxation of the DPI's strict horse-movement protocols since EI won't come soon enough for trainers.
The majority of NSW trainers and owners were forced to miss the rich Melbourne spring carnival because of the EI outbreak. But hopefully common sense will prevail and they won't be robbed of the opportunity to compete in Melbourne next autumn.
Kick 'N Chase ($6.50) proved he is a three-year-old of immense potential when he showed great courage to run down the in-form and race-fit Harrykay to score by a neck, with 1½ lengths to Universal Magic ($15).
Conners believes there may not be a lot between Kick 'N Chase and the stable's star filly, Group I The T J Smith heroine Apercu.
"Kick 'N Chase ran fourth in the QTC Sires' Produce Stakes this year when Apercu ran unplaced and had no luck," Conners said. "I think he's a pretty good horse and might be right up there with the filly in ability."
Conners said there is no point racing Apercu in Sydney over summer as she would simply get too much weight in any open handicap.
"As soon as I get the green light they'll both go to Melbourne and be set for the Australian Guineas in February," he said.
Kick 'N Chase is proving one of racing's great bargain basement buys.
He was bought for just $18,000 and is raced by a syndicate of owners, including former The Daily Telegraph colleague Mark Gold.
"This is great, he was only 80 per cent fit today," Gold said. "Clarry is doing a super job with this horse, he's really turned him around."