Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him

Kevin Kline’s fleeting but rewarding New Zealand career is over.

Trainer Ray Green revealed today that the three-year-old has been bought by local agent Peter Blanchard and is destined for the United States.

“I’ll be sorry to lose him,” says Green of the EFTPOS machine on four legs.

“He was good week in and week out and could perhaps have developed into a serious horse over time.

“But you can’t have your cake and eat it too. It will get tougher for him now, he’ll be four in a month and (as an R65) he will have to front up to the very good ones now. It will be difficult for him to earn the sort of money we got.”

Green described Kevin Kline as “a beautiful horse” who always tried his best and, remarkably, rose to his level on virtually one preparation, having debuted only 16 months ago.

The Always B Miki - Matai Mies three-year-old raced 39 times for six wins, 15 placings and $93,802 for a Lincoln Farms’ partnership put together after he was originally leased from former Waikato breeder Pat Laboyrie.

Enjoying the ride with Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street were a host of long-time supporters in Jason Deane, Brent Mulholland, Priscilla Edmunds, Lance Myocevich, Trevor Casey, the Red and Blue Syndicate, Ray Menzies, Dave and Daphne Jones and Margaret Rabbitt.

Tyson needs luck

Another horse Green sourced from Laboyrie, Tyson, will fly the flag solo at Auckland on Friday night in the $35,000 Northern Metro Pacers’ Final.

But Green says from two on the second row, Tyson will need his share of luck.

“He’s at the mercy of others from his draw - you don’t know how the race will pan out - but maybe a bit of desperation might set in with the bigger stake and he can get out.”

Driver Maurice McKendry proved just how potent the horse can be last week when he abandoned the one-out-one-back trail to sit parked a lap from home, proving too tough for Words, a rival again, drawn immediately inside him on Friday.

The early betting favours the Mark and Nathan Purdon runner Arden’s Memory, in four, and the pole runner Princess Of Savoy.

“But he’s beaten most of these before, they’re all on a par.”

Green says Tyson will “keep poking around” the Park, with the $50,000 Golden Gait on December 19 also on the agenda.

“They’re two nice purses so even if he finishes only second or third, he won’t be doing too badly.”