Winning Patch for Kaphero

Swettenham sire Kaphero is firing with his two year-olds this season and he found another one in Adelaide last weekend.

Patch Hero had been persistent without winning until she broke through in the Mac Just Over? Don't Drive Hcp (1200m) at Morphettville. She had just missed some black-type when fourth in the LR Dequettville Stakes in April.

Kaphero has sired the winners on 9 races to lead the Victorian 2YO sires’ table this season – he’s one ahead of Domesday and Written Tycoon leading into the last week.

Patch Hero (2f Kaphero - Dollydeva by Akhadan) is raced by Finniss Equine Retreat owner-trainer Wayne Francis in partnership with Glen Kent and Dan Humphrey. Francis had lots of success with Byron Cozamanis and then John Hyam before branching out on his own last year.

Kent is an integral part of the Finniss set-up after various stints breaking-in for David Jolly, Tony McEvoy and Phillip Stokes.

“Patch Hero is tough and we will probably give her one more start over 1300m on Saturday week,” Kent said. “We’ve got the water walker here and we train her out of a paddock. It helps break up the routine and you can usually keep them up longer.

“And Dan is a vet so he keep a close eye on her.”

Francis, his wife Jenny and daughter Bodelle have been strong supporters of South Australian racing over many years, owning and breeding horses on Finniss Lodge. Patch Hero is from a very good sprinter in Dollydeva who won five metro sprints in Melbourne and Adelaide.

Kaphero (Danzero) stands for a $5,500 (inc gst) fee at Swettenham Stud.