3 minute read
David Keating is one of racing’s most likeable journeymen and on Wednesday night in Launceston he prepared his first winner as a trainer when Epic Song rattled home to win a class one handicap over 1220m.
In Brief
- Epic Song gives popular horseman first win as trainer.
- Gun run secures victory for three-year-old.
- Keating always wanted to train in his own right.
Keating has only been training in his own right for about two months, but he shared a partnership with Graeme Mcculloch and has worked with a number of high profile trainers in Tasmania and interstate.
"I've wanted to train by myself for a long time, but I guess I'm a bit of a late maturer," Keating said.
"I thought it was time to get my stuff together and give it a go.
"I want to thank Rhonda Hall (owner-breeder) for trusting me with this horse and I'm sure there is more to come from him.
"On the training track he will work alongside the slowest and the fastest horse in the stable, but he switches right on when it's game day."
Rider Codi Jordan settled Epic Song ($5.50 into $4.80) just off the speed on the rails and never left the fence on the way to a resounding win over the race favourite Summer Fire ($2.80) that was forced to race wide without cover for most of the race.
Epic Song (Jimmy Creed-Rock Lyric) was bred by Hall at her 12 Oaks Thoroughbreds property at Campania and while he is quite small in stature, he has a big heart and his desire to find the line is one of his biggest assets.
The three-year-old has started four times for two wins and as many minor placings for over $30,000 in stakes.
