Hodgson scores memorable double
Joshua Smith • June 11th, 2025 5:04 PM • 3 min read
West Melton trainer Kimberley Hodgson is enjoying a breakthrough season, which continued at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday where she scored a memorable double.
King Palm kicked off proceedings when taking out the Cup Week Hospitality On Sale 26 June Rating 65 (1400m) where he came up against stablemate Verdian.
It was Verdian who took a strangle hold on the race from the outset, taken straight to the front by jockey Rohan Mudhoo, while Akshay Balloo drifted back to settle at the rear of the field with King Palm.
Hodgson admitted she gave King Palm little chance during the running, with the son of El Doute having all before him at the turn, and focussed her attention on Verdian, who maintained his lead until the final 100m.
But to her pleasant surprise, King Palm showed a blistering turn of foot out wide to run over the top of his rivals to win by three-quarters of a length over Correction, with the same distance back to Verdian in third.
“He was very impressive,” Hodgson said. “I didn’t think he was going to run anywhere because he was right out the back, but the way he ran over the top of them was amazing.
“Last time King Palm won second-up as well and he has been feeling so well lately.”
Two races later, Hodgson was back in the winner’s stall after Cluedo Lane comfortably took care of his opposition in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Rating 75 (1600m), running out a 6-1/4 length victor.
“I was rapt with his run,” Hodgson said. “I was hoping for good result because he had been feeling very well.”
It was the first double of Hodgson’s career, bringing her season tally to six wins, easily her best term to date after recording her first win last season.
Hodgson said she owes a lot to her loyal owners, in particular Michael Stokes, who bred and part-owns all three of her runners on Wednesday.
“I am over the moon,” Hodgson said. “I am really happy with the way things are going, but it is because of Michael Stokes that I have got a better-quality of horse.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
