Young Adelaide trainer Lloyd Kennewell thinks his search for a star may be over but personal events of the past week have put Get The Nod’s Vain Stakes win into context.

Doctors stunned Kennewell and his fiancee when they diagnosed the trainer’s future stepson with leukaemia.

“He played two games of footy last weekend and on Wednesday he went to the doctor’s for a check up of a little lump on his throat, Kennewell said.

“It was pretty gut-wrenching. In 72 hours everything has happened and he has had chemo and bone marrow (treatment) but everything’s looking good so far.”

Kennewell said Get The Nod had more ability than the stable’s top performer Conservatorium but he was keen to keep the three-year-old’s talent quiet to give the owners a chance to back the gelding at the $12 available on track.

Shin soreness cut Get The Nod’s two-year-old season short after a win at Morphettville in March but he showed the benefit extra time in the spelling paddock with a powerful display, dashing home from just off the speed to beat Stingray by 1-1/4 lengths.

“This is the best horse I have had. He’s an absolute star,” Kennewell said.

“I don’t say that lightly. That’s why he was put straight away after he won first-up.”

Kennewell said he would attempt to get the unbeaten galloper to the Group One Caulfield Guineas and would target to traditional lead-up races to the October feature.

Trainer Mick Price’s three-pronged on the Vain Stakes failed to produce a placegetter after Boomwaa grabbed third ahead of the early pacesetter Nordic Empire.

Jabali firmed from $3.40 to start as a $3 favourite but never looked a winning chance before finishing sixth while Cornrow was supported from $14 into $9.50 before working home from the back of the field to finish ninth.

“On face value, all three were disappointing,” Price said. “Jabali, especially has given us some thinking to do.”