Ken Keys hoping to go one better in the Caulfield Guineas with Soul Patch
One of the biggest days in trainer Ken Keys’ life ended with an agonising defeat in the Caulfield Guineas, but he hopes Soul Patch can deliver him the Group 1 that got away.
SuperRacing
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperRacing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ken Keys is looking for Caulfield Guineas redemption with Soul Patch on Saturday five years after he went agonisingly close to winning with hot favourite Rich Enuff.
Keys said that race was one of the great experiences of his life and Rich Enuff’s effort was fantastic but the result still tormented him.
“The fact was he didn’t win though,” Keys said.
In 2014 Rich Enuff was the boom colt and he was heavily backed on the day from $2 into $1.80 but after over-racing early and in the middle stages went down in a photo to Shooting To Win.
“That was a tough week with all the hype and then to just get beaten. I’m glad to be back. Caulfield Guineas was our plan and plans in racing don’t always come off.”
Keys said he was looking forward to a low key lead-up which would be a complete contrast to the hype which surrounded Rich Enuff in 2014.
Keys hasn’t trained a Group 1 winner in his career and the 2014 Caulfield Guineas was the closest he has got.
Soul Patch is an $11 chance after winning his last two races at Sandown and then at Flemington.
Keys trains with his daughter Kasey and only has 23 horses in work and was glad to have another horse who had the talent to run in a Caulfield Guineas.
Keys said Soul Patch had nothing in common with Rich Enuff and he was hoping that would work in his favour.
“He only knew one way to use his brilliant speed. This guy is so much more relaxed. He’s still very new and in three starts he’s shown different styles each time.
“He’s got more upside as you can ride him to a pattern. He’s more relaxed and adaptable.”
Keys bought the son of Shamus Award for $45,000 at the Tasmanian Magic Millions Sales and he’s had three starts for a win at Ballarat, a second at Sandown Hillside and a last start win at Flemington.
Keys said Soul Patch put up his hand early that he had exceptional ability.
“He has so much upside. I don’t know where it stops.”
Keys was also happy that Dwayne Dunn agreed to ride him in the Caulfield Guineas a long way out.
“That’s a great vote of confidence I think. He rides for big stables and he wanted to stay with him.”
Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial >
CALL SOON ON ELLEEGANT
Chris Waller will decide this week whether he will add back in form mare Verry Elleegant to his already powerful hand in the Caulfield Cup alongside favourite Finche or wait for the Cox Plate.
Verry Elleegant returned to her best when she outsprinted the in-form Samadoubt to win the Group 1 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
“What she did to win the Hill Stakes was pretty special. I don’t want to over-race her and I think she’s got one more run in her,” Waller said on RSN.
Waller said Verry Elleegant probably had one run left in her for the spring and he had to choose between the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate.
“Her obvious target will be the Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate. I’ve got to have a good think about it as she’s still an immature horse,” he said.
Verry Elleegant firmed from $26 into $15 for the Caulfield Cup and is a $26 chance for the Cox Plate with TAB fixed odds.
Kings Will Dream, who won the Turnbull Stakes, firmed from $51 into $15 for the Caulfield Cup and is also $15 for the Cox Plate which is his main mission.
Waller already has the favourite in the Caulfield Cup, Finche, who firmed from $15 to $8 after he finished second in the Turnbull Stakes.
“He was great. He’s tracking nicely and that run was exactly what I hoped for going into the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup and then into the Melbourne Cup,” he said.
Waller said Finche was an immature horse when he finished fourth in last year’s Melbourne Cup.
Waller had a record-breaking day on Saturday with four Group 1 winners, and eight in total at Flemington and Randwick.
He said he also needed to make a decision regarding Epsom Handicap winner Kolding as to whether he would stay in Sydney or come to Melbourne.
“Obviously if he comes to Melbourne he’ll target the Cox Plate but the following week in Sydney there’s the $.7 million The Golden Eagle. I’ll have a good think about it.”
Waller said he was likely to spell the Flight Stakes winner three-year-old filly Funstar.