3 minute read
John Keys saddled up two runners in the Maiden/Class 1 over 1600m in Launceston on Friday night and admitted after the race he backed the wrong one.
Crafty Boss was supported as if unbeatable into $2.10 favourite and made some late ground to finish fourth but never looked like winning, while Co Accused ($41 – $23) was given the run of the race by apprentice Taylor Johnstone and got home narrowly.
"Taylor has been sticking with her. She told me she liked her, and I just went with the flow," John Keys said.
"She jumped really well, settled in a beautiful spot, travelled beautifully the whole run, and she was really strong to the line," Johnstone added.
It was a good night for the John Keys stable, with three winners in total, the other two winners both ridden by David Pires.
Lordosis took out the 1200m Maiden after a gun ride from Pires, who allowed the 4YO to settle just off the pace before looming strongly in the home straight.
"He's a very well-bred horse (Turffontein x Morell) and after last week we did expect it," trainer John Keys said.
Well supported from $3.60 to start $2.80 fav. Lordosis scored from Ada Way ($5) and the long shot ($34) Trotsky third.
The John Keys treble arrived when Londiani ($3.30 fav) lasted to score in a tight photo from Cheeky Word ($4.00) in the 1400m Class 2.
Baker's delight
King Island just keeps on winning, he made it four in a row with another solid performance in the BM76 (1400m) which seems to be his pet distance.
Ridden by Chelsea Baker, who has been on board for six of his eight career wins, King Island, despite his recent winning form, started at the generous odds of $8.
"He's happy he's well, with his issues, you've got to just keep ticking over.
"He doesn't work too hard, he doesn't gallop too hard and it seems to suit him," trainer Angela Brakey said after the race.
"He's a credit to Angela. A lot of people wouldn't have backed him up, but she just knows the horse so well, Baker said.
Siggy Carr and her partner Troy Baker gave some first-time owners an enormous thrill when tried galloper Day Performer showed an abundance of speed to lead nearly all the way and in the 0-60 (1100m).
A 6YO who has now won five of her 31 starts, Day Performer is trained by Carr, Baker was in the saddle and needed all his strength to get her across the line in a tight photo from Elmajay ($3.60 fav).
Carr explained after the race that it was a gear change that seemed to have made the difference.
"She's a very good little doer, and we were just shocked that she's never had the blinkers on before.
"We popped the blinkers on just trying to do something different, and they worked. That was the key tonight," Carr said.
Troy Baker then made it a race-to-race double when he partnered Geegee Lucky Jess ($5.50) to an impressive factory in the BM68 (1200m).
