By Jordan Gerrans
It is nearly three decades since Bill Kenning tasted Townsville Cup glory as a rider and all these years on, he is sticking to the same methods as a trainer as he aims to finally nab the feature prize.
It was Kiwi bred galloper Only Chance who delivered him the major Cluden Park prize as a jockey back in 1997 with his partner Julie Bell doing the training.
Only Chance also won the Listed Rockhampton Cup and Tatt’s Cup at Callaghan Park in that season.
Plenty of water has gone under the bridge since then approaching the 2025 Cup, with Kenning listed as the trainer these days with Bell his trusted offsider still.
Kenning has long been shooting to add a training Townsville Cup prize to his resume alongside his crown as a jockey.
In those days, Kenning and Bell were regulars at the beach in Central and North Queensland with Only Chance.
They present to the $150,000 feature this Saturday with the in-form Beau Rain.
Asked to compare Beau Rain with Cup champion Only Chance, Kenning can see two similarities.
Firstly, the two gallopers are not bred to run a staying trip but as the top horseman says, horses do not know who their parents are.
And, secondly, they both love the beach.