Partnership landing the winners

7 June 2021

PROMINENT Western Sydney couple Dean and Kerry McDowell are enjoying a great run of success since officially becoming a training partnership.

The pair train a big team of 28 horses from their Mulgoa base and venture to the tracks close to Sydney.

“We are currently working a decent number of horses for this time of year and Dean and I are happy with the team,” said Kerry McDowell.

“The past few months has seen us land multiple winners at a number of meetings, which is pleasing as we have been working hard to ensure our horses are spot-on when they head to the track.”

This afternoon Team McDowell will be at Bankstown where they have nine horses competing at an eight-race program, the strongest line-up that has assembled there for some time.

“We are originally from the Bankstown district, so it was our home track for a long time,” said Kerry.

“Whenever the club races, we try and get back there and give them support with multiple runners.”

The McDowells first runner this afternoon comes up in Race 3 when Dean’s father Colin will take the reins behind former New Zealand pacer New York Rain, a six-year-old mare that has been in their camp for two and a half years.

She has won three races for the stable at Menangle and more recently was first past the post at Bankstown before losing the race on protest.

“New York Rain has drawn well in barrier four and drops in grade, so we expect her to perform well,” said Kerry.

Still, she suggested that she was leaning towards Bertie Jones as one of their best chances today, in Race 6.

“I really like Bertie Jones, he is a horse that we have not had all that long, coming across from New Zealand in March after he won a race at Ascot Park.

“It has taken us a while to sort this bloke out.

“But he did win well at Goulburn on Friday and is on the quick back-up.

“I am a little concerned by his adverse draw on the inside of the second row but if he gets a bit of luck in running, he should go close to winning again.”

The McDowells have three runners in the final event this afternoon with Bettors Pocket shaping as the best of them.