KEVIN KEMP SAVOURS SPECIAL WIN IN THE RACE NAMED TO HONOUR THE MEMORY OF THE LATE DARRYL GOLLAN

By Graham Potter | Sunday, April 18, 2021

Toowoomba trainer Kevin Kemp is always a jovial figure at the track … but he is seldom particularly animated.

So, when Kemp raises his arms and looks to the sky after a race win you know it is a particularly special occasion and that was the case at Toowoomba on Friday where Kemp celebrated the life of his good mate, the late Darryl Gollan, who was clearly very much in his thoughts after the Kemp trained Alert And Ready took out the Darryl Gollan Memorial QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap.

‘It was just so special to win the Darryl Gollan Memorial,” said Kemp.

“I have been associated with Darryl for a long time, as all of us have on the Downs. He was just such a wonderful man and a wonderful family.

“They don’t come more respected than Darryl.

“On another level, it was also good to finally win with Alert And Ready and it was also special to win with my new apprentice Monty Savva in the saddle. I think she was the only person more excited than I was.

“I did have to choose a new rider on the day for Alert And Ready. Maddy Wishart, my other apprentice, was due to ride the filly, but she was sick so the stewards gave me a few options for a replacement and said ‘who do you want?’ I said I’ve got an apprentice who has been with me for about a month, or six weeks, and I want to give her a go.

“And what a cracker of a race she rode! Brilliant.

“Up until then, Alert And Ready was a professional place-getter really and now with the Darryl Gollan Memorial she couldn’t have picked a better race to turn into a winner.

“It was just a wonderful moment and being able to pay respect to Darryl Gollan and to win the race named in his honour made it extra special."

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