6 Oct 2024Keeneland boosted his Classic prospects when he produced a strong performance to triumph in the Listed Super Impose Plate over 1800 metres at Flemington.
He is a son of Almanzor and will next month bid to give our resident sire a second victory in the G1 VRC Derby following the win in 2022 of Manzoice.
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Keeneland broke his maiden at Benalla at his third appearance late last month and he bridged the gap to stakes company with aplomb.
“We just ticked him over at home and he’s got a good constitution,” Young said.
“He was in great order and won really well, we’ve got a nice Derby contender going forward.”
Rider John Allen had Keeneland travelling sweetly in second spot and, after striding to the 350 metres from home, he stayed on strongly to win by a length and a-quarter.
“We had a nice run in behind the speed and he’s just improved with every run,” Allen said.
“He’s got a good attitude and a clean-winded horse who appreciated the step up to 1800 metres so he’s heading in the right direction.”
Bred by Kinsale Bloodstock, Keeneland was bought out of Kiltannon Stables draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $85,000 by Busuttin, Andrew Campbell Bloodstock and Tommy Heptinstall.
He is a half-brother to six winners with their dam the Savabeel mare Savabeel Star, a half-sister to the G3 Hawke’s Bay Guineas winner Stardane.