KEITEL TAKES THE ROCKY ROAD TO CUP GLORY

KEITEL stormed home down the long straight at Callaghan Park to register a resounding win in the Rockhampton Cup (1600m). 

The 6YO entered Saturday’s $150,000 contest off the back of a highly creditable placing in the Listed Tatts Mile, and he duly took the necessary improvement from that run to land his eighth career win. 

As is customary for him, the handsome grey settled towards the rear of the field in the early stages under his new pilot Ryan Wiggins. 

The pair patiently plotted a path through the field after rounding the home turn, and KEITEL exploded into life at the 400m mark as he raced clear to win by just under two lengths. 

“It was amazing to see him win a big race like that,” said David. 

“I didn’t really want to run him against those horses at Eagle Farm, but I thought he needed the race before Rocky. When he finished next to War Eternal in the Tatt’s Mile, who’s won over a million bucks, I knew we were more than on track.

“I was a little bit nervous about how he’d recover from the Tatt’s Mile, because it was a career-best performance and often when horses, especially older ones, put in that sort of performance they don’t back it up. But he pulled up very well, and it’s worked out well for him today.

“He ate up and recovered really well from the race, so we’ll now consider running him in the Mackay Cup in a couple of weeks’ time. The only issue is what weight he might get, so we’ll have to monitor what else is nominated for the race and see how he comes through the next 10 days, then make a final decision nearer the time.

“The great thing is that he is such a good traveler, so the long trips won’t unsettle him. He’s one of the quietest horses I’ve ever trained, he’s just like having a pony.” 

Many congratulations to his owners: Dr C G Lawler, Mr G R Gillespie, Mr J B Kaufman, Mr A K Irving, Mr J P Hoy, Mr C M Nicholas, Mr R S Williamson, Mr R C Preston, Mr R J Kell, Mr J Nanopoulos and Duck Syndicate.

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