Racing: Patience could be rewarded at Albury

SYDNEY - Victorian trainer John Ledger is the first to admit it has been a long road getting 5-year-old Kua Fu to the races, fit and ready to win.

Owned by retired Albury car dealer Brian White, Kua Fu lines up in the Brian Bennie Carpet Choice Class 2 Hcp (1175m) at Albury, southern New South Wales, today chasing back-to-back wins.

The son of Lucky Owners has endured a major tendon tear, necessitating a 90-week spell, an operation to correct a wind problem and, at one stage, much to Wangaratta-based Ledger's surprise, was put up for sale.

Ledger's belief in the entire's ability and perseverance, however, is finally reaping dividends.

Kua Fu started his career with Lee Freedman with initial plans he would eventually race in Singapore.

Early thoughts were tempered with Kua Fu failing to measure up and White turned to Ledger.

"I'd done some breaking in for Brian but getting the call to train one for him was out of the blue," Ledger said.

"Kua Fu was pretty immature, didn't show much, but we eventually got him going after making a few adjustments and an issue with his tendon."

Kua Fu made his debut in late September 2008, finishing third to Rustie Bugles at Albury, then scored his maiden win over 1400m at Wangaratta in October 2008.

"The horse was looking real good then the tendon went," Ledger said.

"He had an operation and stem cell treatment and spent a long time recovering. He was later found to be a full-blown roarer."

The further setback was too much for White. Ledger fielded a call from Kalgoorlie asking for information on Kua Fu.

"The bloke said he wanted to buy Kua Fu, I said, 'Over my dead body he's not for sale,"' Ledger said.

"I told him he must have the wrong horse.

"The bloke said he was for sale for $1200 on the internet. I eventually rang Brian and said what's the story? Brian thought with his tendon issue and the fact he's a roarer he wanted out.

"In the end we came to an arrangement. He had the wind operation and we haven't looked back."

On his return to racing in Victoria in May last year, Kua Fu was placed twice in a three-start campaign.

Ledger opted to switch his attention to New South Wales, with Kua Fu scoring an impressive first-up win over 1175m at Albury on December 18.

"He's trained on very well," Ledger said. "I'm disappointed with the weight [60kg] and barrier [11] but racing is full of disappointments. To my eye he's super at the moment, I'm thrilled with him."

- AAP