Our Kaboom strikes for Kaphero

Lightning has struck twice for Cranbourne trainer Ken Keys and Swettenham Stud sire Kaphero.

Keys sourced Our Kapow out of Swettenham’s draft at the 2012 Melbourne Premier yearling sale and went back and bought his younger brother from the Nagambie nursery last year.

Named Our Kaboom, he came out and scored a courageous victory in the Latrobe City Maiden Plate (1150m) at Traralgon on Tuesday.

Both colts are by Kaphero from USA bred mare Anna Dana (Chester House) who was stakes placed in Kentucky. Second dam Mount Helena (Danzig) is a half-sister to champion sire Street Cry.

Our Kaboom jumped straight to the front on Tuesday but was under pressure when the favourite Liminal loomed up and looked to be going much better on the home turn. Jockey Lincoln Coffey asked his colt to dig deep and he responded to win by more than two lengths.

Keys had nominated Our Kaboom for the Murray Cox Hcp (1410m) at Flemington this Saturday but elected to keep him at a shorter trip second-up. “He’s a clone of Our Kapow,” Keys said. “And if this colt follows in those footsteps, he’s sure to have a good racing future.”

The colt is owned by Hans & Gail Frenken, Colin Johnstone, Leo Kelly, Christian & Jade Langeder, Tailend Syndicate and Swettenham Stud owner Adam Sangster.

Several of them are in Our Kapow who also won his maiden this time last year at Cranbourne. He was beaten a long-head around Sandown Hillside at his penultimate start on June 4.

Kaphero has sired 5 juvenile winner this season and there are several more ready to debut including Celestial Hero (Greg Eurell) and Kap It Off (Matt Laurie) who were impressive trial winners at Cranbourne on Monday. Cool Hero (Richard Jolly) also won a 1000m barrier trial at Morphettville last Friday.

Kaphero (Danzero) was bred at Swettenham and he will stand for a $5,500 (inc gst) fee in 2014.