KENTUCKY EXPRESS was a massive 9.5kg better off at the weights with smart sprinter Second World, but the stable didn’t expect him to toy with the opposition in a 1000m Allowance Plate at the Vaal on Tuesday.

That his odds remained in a bracket between 18-10 and 16-10 shows that punters, too, had healthy respect for Second World and the likes of Umkomaas and Vacherin.

However Kentucky Express was in cruise mode – he streaked clear, unchallenged, to win by 6.25 lengths from Hurricane Force, with Second World beaten 6.75 lengths, a near perfect confirmation of the swing in weights, assessed on their 12 October encouter.

“Kentucky Express has done well for us, thanks to his owners for bringing him to the stable. He’s won two races and his only below par run was two runs ago when he flyjumped and I had to just ease him back a bit so he could find his feet in the running. ”

Kentucky Express, by Muhtafal,  is a graduate of Mooir River’s Connington Stud and is owned by the partnership of Messers. J and K Deokynarain, Singh, Chetty and Naidoo.