Kumanovo Delivers at Cambridge After Testing Road Back

by Jordyn Bublitz

It was a rewarding night at Cambridge Raceway for trainer Owen Gillies and the connections of Kumanovo, as the mare notched her second win in just three starts. 
 
Driven confidently by Zachary Butcher, Kumanovo showed a strong turn of foot to take out the Gavelhouse.com Handicap Trot, validating Gillies’ belief in her ability.
 
It’s been a bit of a journey getting the daughter of Father Patrick back to the races, and Gillies couldn’t be prouder of how she’s coming to hand.
 
“She’s been a hard horse to handle, and it hasn’t been easy” he laughed. “She should’ve been ready to go probably six months ago, but she came into season really bad and stayed there for a good two or three months. We had to throw her back in the paddock for another month!”

The five-year-old was only fair when finishing fifth last week, but Gillies wasn’t discouraged by the effort.

“She had a couple weeks between runs there and was probably just a little unfit” he explained. “She’s not a very good doer and she’s quite nervy, so I don’t work her hard in between races. I said to Zach after her last start ‘we’ll back her up and see if she goes any better’. I thought she’d be winning”.
 
And win she did, putting in a sharp performance that reaffirmed the talent Gillies has always seen in her.
 
“She’s always had a bit of ability, and she’s got a lot of speed. It’s just been a matter of getting her head in the game.”
 
Gillies was quick to acknowledge the patience of her owner Cameron Mackie, who’s stood by during the mare’s interrupted preparation.
 
“I’m really lucky with her owner, we’ve had to give her a lot of time off and he hasn’t worried about it. I’ve got to take my hat off to him really, he could’ve just as easily sent her to someone else, but he stuck with us.”
 
As for what’s next, the team has their sights set on Auckland.
 
“The plan now is to try and get her trotting right-handed so we can look at taking her to Alexandra Park. The stakes are better up there, hopefully we can get her right.”