Darragh Kenny (IRL) had one more trick up his sleeve as the last to jump in Thursday afternoon's $142,000 Cabana Coast 5* Qualifier. Kenny and Chic Chic, an 11-year-old Westphalian stallion (Comme Il Faut 5 x Contendro I) owned by Vlock Show Stables, jumped late in the order after a weather delay halted competition, and returned last in a 15-horse jump-off.
Kenny took aim at fellow Trelawny Trailblazers teammate Daniel Bluman (ISR), who set the early time to beat from the opening round over the tie-breaking track. A slick turn from the first to second jump and a ground-eating pace through the final line delivered the Irishman a victory. A winning margin of less than two tenths of a second was just enough, and fueled Kenny's momentum ahead of Saturday's $414,000 B&D builders 5* Grand Prix.
Bluman settled for second on Gemma W (Luidam) and U.S. rider Jacob Pope rounded out the podium aboard Highway FBH (Plot Blue).
"Chic Chic jumped fantastic, He's an incredible horse and he always pulls out a great result. Daniel was obviously very fast, so I had to really try and beat him. Lucky enough it came off for me today," Kenny reacts. "I've been riding this horse for three years now, and in the last 12 months I feel like we've really clicked."