3 minute read
A look at the some of the lesser stories from Sandown.
Scheelite another Rich Enuff
The Ken and Kasey Keys invariably have a good horse pass through their stable.
They are looking towards Scheelite being the next one to put the stable up in lights after his debut win in the L U Simon Builders Handicap (1000m).
An $80,000 yearling purchase in Adelaide, Scheelite had shown both the father-and-daughter training operation that he was above average.
Kasey Keys was loathe to go 'the early crow', but said the colt, by Japanese stallion Real Steele, may be the equal of Rich Enuff.
During the spring of 2014, Rich Enuff won the Listed McKenzie Stakes, the Group 2 Daneill Stakes and the Group 3 Guineas Prelude before running second in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and is now a successful stallion at stud.
When asked if Scheelite had the same ability as Rich Enuff, Kasey Keys said, potentially.
"What he's shown us at home, he's definitely on the same level," Keys said.
"We've taken our time with him. He's a nice type but has just needed to grow into his body."
Keys said Scheelite could return to Sandown next week for a two-year-old race over 1300m or be turned out to prepare for the spring.
"Now that we've got the maiden out of the way, it opens up a lot of options for him," Keys said.
"I think he will get a mile. There are nice spring races over a mile. I think we might be around in them."
Warrnambool Cup chance for Irish Butterfly
Irish Butterfly may back up into the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on Thursday after his all-the-way win in the Dexton Victoria Handicap (2400m).
The Chris Hyland-trained Witchachar Star won the corresponding race on Saturday's program before winning the Warrnambool Cup five days later.
Irish Butterfly's trainer Henry Dwyer said he was not planning on running in both races but may be swayed into a rethink after the gelding's 4-¼ length win.
"He did it pretty easily today," Dwyer said.
"He normally feels his races a bit, but given he's had a soft run, we may have to reconsider and accept there."
Dwyer said he would need to see how Irish Butterfly's appetite is, his brightness and how he shapes up after a canter on Monday morning before making a final decision on whether to accept with the stayer for the Warrnambool Cup on Monday morning.
Katsu lands first city win
Trainer Grahame Begg will look to richer races for Katsu after his win in the Pago Zero Cost Eftpos Handicap (1000m).
Begg said the Listed Creswick Sprint Final (1200m) at Flemington in July was a possible target for the three-year-old.
Passive Aggressive won the Creswick Sprint Final for Begg 12 months ago.
"He keeps on ticking the boxes and is a horse we can keep on going through the grades with, but he'll get to a better grade, no doubt," Begg said.
"There are a few races around, the Creswick, or something like that, but we'll just take our time.
"There's nothing in the next couple of weeks, so we'll let him get him over today and work it out."
Stakes race next for Foxicon
A trip to Adelaide is on the cards for the Peter Moody-trained Foxicon after the mare took out the Manhari Metals Handicap (1000m).
The Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 20 is the race the Moody stable has picked out for the daughter of Foxwedge.
Foxicon has won five of her nine starts and made it back-to-back wins at Sandown with Saturday's success.
Moody's assistant Catherine Coleman said the secret to Foxicon's success has been trips to Lauriston Park in between races.
"We thought there would be nice speed in the race," Coleman said.
"Carleen (Hefel) got her into a nice spot, let her pop out and she was too strong.
"We'll look to send her to Adelaide now for the Proud Miss Stakes and try and get a bit of 'Black Type' for her."
Quote of the day
"He had done it at provincial level, albeit he won against older horses in a benchmark 70, but it wasn't a mug race today and he had some competition" - Grahame Begg after the win of Katsu in the Pago Zero Cost Eftpos Handicap
