IN Racing
Kennedy holds strong hand at home meeting
“She looks like she could have the goods.”
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk | May 21, 2025
Miss Belle will contest the Speights Rating 65 (1600m) at Wingatui on Friday. Photo: Race Images South

Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy will have plenty of firepower at his home meeting on Friday, where he will be represented by nine runners, headlined by Nobellem in the Positive Signs + Print Rating 75 (1200m). 

The daughter of Belardo has been in pleasing form for Kennedy, who races her in partnership with his wife Debbie, having placed in her last two starts over 1200m. 

She has been freshened since her last-start runner-up effort at Wingatui in March, and Kennedy is hopeful of a bold showing from barrier nine. 

“She should go well,” Kennedy said. “She has been racing well at Dunedin and she is honest. She will probably race outside the leader, there is a bit of speed in that race.” 

Nobellem will be ridden for the first time by Cambridge-based apprentice Nichola Yuen, and will benefit from her two-kilogram claim. 

“We have got two-kilo allowance on her which should help,” Kennedy said. “Nichola Yuen looks like a good rider.” 

Stablemate Red Star Bella will also head into Friday in a fresh state, and Kennedy is hopeful of a breakthrough victory in the More FM Maiden (1200m), with the daughter of War Decree having placed in three of her five career starts to date. 

"Red Star Bella drew one, she races well fresh and will be a good chance,” Kennedy said. “She jumped out the other day and went quite well.” 

Of Kennedy’s other runners, he believes he has a strong chance in the last, the Speights Rating 65 (1600m). 

“Cimarron and Miss Belle in the last are probably my other two best runners,” he said. 

While the racing season is winding down in the south, Kennedy said he does have a couple of younger prospects he is looking forward to next term, including Bobby Mcgee. 

“I have got a nice two-year-old by Ancient Spirit that has had one start for a third,” he said. “She looks like she could have the goods.”

Miss Belle Terry Kennedy red star bella Nobellem