Know Keeper Grabs Overdue Group One Win
New Zealand Cup night aside, Friday evening in May for the dual Group 1 Active Electrical Christchurch New Zealand St. Leger, and the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Oaks is most likely the second biggest night on the local racing calendar. The Kingston Cup at Group 2 level over the 732m is the cherry on top of what was another exciting nights racing.
Know Keeper for Gary Cleeve and Gaylene Turnwald had been knocking on the door after contesting Group 1 races in the North Island over the last month. At long last, a clear early run was presented to him and he took full advantage with a devastating turn of foot. Last weeks heat winner Adobe Bro who started as the outsider of the field jumped cleanly from box 2 as he found himself in a battle with Daniel Lane’s charge in Best Ball who used his favourite box 8 draw with aplomb cruising up outside Adobe Bro down the back straight. Know Keeper slotted into a beautiful Trailing position and as the two leaders run off a tad down the back the $30,000 Group 1 was in safekeeping. Know Keeper charged away to a 30.02 victory and his first Group 1 win. Adobe Bro and Best Ball held down second and third placing in that order. Know Keeper will look to take out another feature race from here with the running of the Amazing Chase, which should suit him down to the ground.
Jelly Fish for Jean & Dave Fahey has excelled since returning from her spell, winning three consecutive races from box 6 with unmatched box speed. The last of which was her toughest test to date as she speared to the lead crossing Tokyo Bird who posted the fastest of the heat times the Thursday before. She had one paw on the Oaks Trophy from there charging away down the back putting together a margin that was too big for her challengers to haul back. Fond Of You for Ashley Bradshaw finished on superbly taking ground off Jelly Fish at the line, putting together a run her connections would be proud of. The luckless Tokyo Bird held down third for Craig Roberts and there will be future opportunities for her to deliver on her potential.
After an interrupted heat run all but put her place in the final in danger Shaynee showed her rivals a clean pair of heels in the final of the Group 2 Kingston Cup. Shaynee cut across the field early from box 6 finding herself in a handy position behind Troublesome Kev who gained ascendency for much of the race. Second favourite Uthor Bale failed to find the front as he managed to in his heat and was always in trouble from then onward. Shaynee found the front before the home corner on the back of a much better beginning racing away to another feature victory for trainer Sam Lozell in a time of 43.57. Student Loan recaptured some form of old after an indifferent recent few months for Jean & Dave Fahey. Ripslinger Roxy gave Ashley Bradshaw a further Group race placing as she flew home from the back of the field into third placing.
Written by Shane Kendall