3 minute read
A quick look at how Flemington played out on Aurie’s Star Handicap day.
Cuz on the ball with Veranskova
Recovering in hospital following a fall at the Pakenham jump-outs earlier in the week could not stop Michael Walker from phoning trainer Cindy Alderson.
Walker had been in an induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit of the Alfred Hospital before being brought around on Friday morning and moved to the wards.
Alderson revealed she had a phone call from 'the Cuz' at 5am on Saturday morning telling her how Veranskova should be ridden in the VRC Season Premiere Sprint (1100m).
Walker had been booked to ride the mare prior to his fall on Tuesday with Mark Zahra taking over in registering a 2-¼ length win.
"He had done a lot of work on this mare," Alderson said.
"He had trialled her and I'm really disappointed that he couldn't ride her, but it was great to hear his voice and that was the main thing.
"He just said she would win, and I guess he was right."
Promotion made to order
While Ken and Kasey Keys enjoyed a short break, stable employee Rachel Armes was the face of the stable.
Loyal to the Keys stable when there is a staff shortage, Armes has been rewarded with a promotion to a foreman's role which will come into force at the end of the month.
Armes was on strapping duties when Zimowy took out the Villa Paradiso (1410m).
"We had to do something to make sure we didn't lose her. She's a beauty," Ken Keys said.
"The reality is Kasey needs more help from someone her age rather than some older guy like me.
"You could call it generation change.
"To grow in this caper, you need responsibility, and she was the face of the stable while we were away.
"People just love her."
Back-to-back goes Horrifying
Horrifying holds a nomination for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup but there is still plenty of time to those races for the Mark and Sam Kavanagh-trained galloper.
But the stayer did his claims no harm with his half-head win from Through Irish Eyes in The Rose Room (2530m).
It was Horrifying's third win from his past four starts and Sam Kavanagh suggested the stayer may be back at Flemington in five weeks' time for the TAB Long May We Play Handicap (2500m).
Then there is the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2510m) on October 1 which provides the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1.
"He's starting to come into his own this preparation," Sam Kavanagh said.
"We're spacing his runs and keeping him happy and at this stage he's showing us he's in top order. At this stage we're taking it race by race."
Quote of the day
"It's been a good run, but I guess the wheels will fall off soon, so we'll certainly enjoy it while it's happening." - co-trainer Ken Keys after Zimowy's win in the Villa Paradiso registered the 11th win since June for the Ken and Kasey Keys stable.
From the Stewards room
Taut You Could bled from both nostrils during the running of the VRC Member Damian Cubela Plate and has an embargo of three months from racing.
Pas Malotru also bled from both nostrils in the Jockeys Celebration Day Sprint and has had a racing embargo placed on him for three months.
His Ben and JD Hayes-trained stablemate Makram, which finished second last in The Skyline Lounge, was vetted following the race who reported the gelding was suffering cardiac arrhythmia. He is required to undergo an ECG and receive a veterinary certificate before racing again.
Tatum Bull fined $750 for failing to ride her mount Apres La Mer out to the finishing line in Race 3 and fined a further $500 and suspended for seven meetings on a whip breach aboard Mr Exclusive in Race 8.
