Two good fillies, Keysbrook and Top Show, fought out a thrilling finish in the WestspeedNursery (1400m) at Belmont with only a nose separating them on the line.
Keysbrook, again ridden by Shaun McGruddy, went into the race with two seconds to her name including being beaten by Top Show, at Pinjarra, on May 24 by half a length.
Trainer Phil Humann said she was a relaxed filly with not much early pace -something she displayed in this race when dropping back after drawing an inside barrier.
Top Show, with Brad Parnham replacing his injured older brother, Steven, was even further back and rattled home from second last to just fail to nail Keysbrook. Fathing Fast was also close up in third place.
Humann intends starting Keysbrook over 1600m in a fortnight before turning her out for a spell.
Top Apprentice Ben Paterson gave a consummate display by always having Oro Dare in a winning position, for top trainer Adam Durrant, in the LD Total Handicap (2200m). He won going away from Drive West, with the runner-up being the only other one to show any dash at the end.
Ironically, Ora Dare appeared to be struggling at the 600m mark and Durrant admitted he was like a few of his middle distance horses in that regard. “When the sprint went on he did struggle a bit but you are not paid for what you do at the 600m mark of a race.”
Durrant said Ora Dare was a genuine stayer and his long term goal with the galloper was the Perth Cup.
The clash between Sujet (Jason Whiting) and Chinetti (Mitchell Pateman) was eagerly awaited in the 1000m sprint race.
Sujet lived up to expectations, comfortably accounting for Miss Santa Fe and Seul Homme.
Michael White, the stable foreman for Simon Miller, said he thought Sujet would “probably have been in a more forward position early but with the pace on he did not get fired up and raced well.”
White seemed pleased that Sujet was not a ‘one-trick pony’ that had to lead to succeed.
Unfortunately Chinetti suffered again from cardiac arrhythmia and there is now a doubt about his future. On two previous occasions, in a race on February 15 and a trial on March 31, the gelding has suffered from this condition.
Stewards have advised trainer Paul Jordan that Chinetti will not trial or race again until veterinary investigation and a clearance has been obtained. Jordan advised stewards that his gelding will be having further testing at Murdoch Veterinary Hospital.
Chinetti has four wins from seven starts but was the first horse beaten yesterday.
9.6.14