3 minute read

Sandown debut winner Scheelite has backed up that form with a win at Flemington.

The spring looks pretty exciting were words co-trainer Kasey Keys spoke after Scheelite registered a second win, this time in his first look at the Flemington straight. 

After a debut win at Sandown last month, Ken and Kasey Keys wanted to give Scheelite a look at the Flemington straight in the Parade Lounge Sprint (1100m) on Saturday. 

Despite racing greenly, Scheelite showed a touch of class in recording his second win and a brief break before a spring campaign. 

Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, Scheelite ($5) scored by a length from Fragile Love ($13) with the $2.60 favourite Isthmus a further half-length away third. 

Kasey Keys said the idea in bringing Scheelite to Flemington was to give him a look at the straight course ahead of richer races in the spring. 

"He was a bit wary early on, but today he got to stamp his authority," Keys said. 

"There was a bit of an opinion on quite a few of them and I know there was some people who were doubting what was in the Sandown race, but again he's proven himself." 

Keys said Scheelite would possibly only be afforded a three-week break before returning to the stable to prepare for the spring. 

Stackhouse, who scored on Scheelite on debut and who had ridden opponent Shoresy in his two previous starts, stuck with the winner after riding him in a gallop at Cranbourne on Tuesday. 

"He gave me an unbelievable feeling on a heavy track, and I was very confident coming here today," Stackhouse said. 

"I wanted to make sure I had room as I had the horse underneath me and he built into the race. 

"He was green going up the straight the first time, but he galloped away nicely and put them away." 

Stackhouse said Scheelite could be the galloper to give the Keys victory in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, a race they finished second in with Rich Enuff back in 2014. 

"When I worked him on Tuesday morning, I thought he might be a Caulfield Guineas sort of horse and get over a bit of ground," Stackhouse said. 

"He has a nice racing pattern where he can relax and get over further. 

"Ken and Kasey Keys have done a great job with this horse and the future is bright."