Kemp stable eyeing second Darryl Gollan Memorial

By Jordan Gerrans

It was Alert And Ready this time last year, and the Kevin Kemp yard are optimistic it will be Fiery Ring making an impact in the Darryl Gollan Memorial race at Toowoomba in 2022.

After being run for the first time in 2021, the now annual Darryl Gollan Memorial will be contested on Friday evening at Clifford Park, the track where the late Gollan was dominant in two-year-old races across many years.

The father of current premier Brisbane trainer Tony, Darryl was known for his winning touch when it came to the youngsters and the race will be run under QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap conditions to recognise his achievements. 

Now known as the Pat O’Shea Plate - the feature two-year-old event on the Darling Downs - Darryl prepared the winner on eight different occasions dating back to 1988, including one year when he trained the first three past the post.

To honour his legacy, the Toowoomba Turf Club introduced the Darryl Gollan Memorial race, with the event to be run over 870 metres on Friday night with $40,000 on offer, as well as the QTIS bonuses.

At 68 years of age, experienced Toowoomba trainer Kemp has had a long association with the Gollan family and was honoured to win the first edition of the race with Alert And Ready.

“I was great mates with Darryl for years and years – and Tony now as well – I would love to win the race every year,” Kemp said.

“Darryl was a great man.”

Kemp held neighbouring stables to the Gollan operation for a decade.

Gollan - a trainer, owner and breeder of race horses - passed away following a long battle with cancer at the age of 76 in 2020.

Filly Alert And Ready had seven starts in her career before arriving at the Gollan Memorial last year while Kemp hopeful Fiery Ring will tackle it on debut in 2022.

The son of Sebring ran second in his only public trial – beaten a half-length – and Kemp is hopeful he can put his best foot forward at his first career effort.

Kemp's stable apprentice - Montanna Savva – was Fiery Ring’s partner in his only trial and has been booked for his debut.

“We will put him in and hope he goes well,” Kemp said.

“The trial is probably the most he has done.

“He is a nice horse, I really like him, he is by Sebring out of a good mare.

“We are hoping he will run really well.”

A field of eight will face the starter in the second edition of the Darryl Gollan Memorial race, five of which will be having their first-ever career races.

The reigning winner of the race, Alert And Ready, will also be on show on Friday evening at Clifford Park, accepted for a Class 4 Handicap over 1625 metres, with Savva to again do the riding.

“She has done well since winning the race named after Darryl last year, winning about $150,000 since,” Kemp said.

“She has won the three races.

“She will go ok the in the Class 4 over a mile, hopefully she can win again as well.”

The Savva and Kemp partnership have been a prolific one on their home track this year, both sitting within the top three of their respective premierships.

Before Friday, the Savva and Kemp combination will head to Ipswich on Thursday afternoon with two runners engaged.