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Weekend wrap: Keevs impresses as Blacker eyes another Adelaide Cup chance

3 minute read

Victorian horseman Rob Blacker is dreaming of another Adelaide Cup tilt after lightly-raced stayer Keevs made the step from a Cranbourne maiden to Saturday city success at Murray Bridge on the weekend.

KEEVS.
KEEVS. Picture: Racing Photos

Rob Blacker's Tigertiger finished second behind Daqiansweet Junior in the 2022 edition and said it would be a dream come true if Keevs could make his way back to Adelaide next year as a chance in a race he's loved since a child.

"I went so close a couple of years ago,'' Blacker said.

"I've wanted to win the Adelaide Cup since I was 10 years old, it's my favourite race, if we could qualify him and he was a chance that would be fantastic,'' he said.

Blacker said his passion for the Adelaide Cup started when Lord Reims stamped himself on the race winning three in succession from 1987 to 1989.

"I grew up in Mortlake and my dad did a lot of work around Naracoorte and Keith, it (to win an Adelaide Cup) was achievable and who doesn't love Lord Reims,'' Blacker said.

"We love stayers but we aren't paying $200,000 for them, it's a time honoured famous race at two miles and you can win it.

"Amy and Ash (Yargi) won it this year. It's a legitimate target for someone who has horses like this,'' he said.

Having just his fifth race start, Keevs was ridden just off a solid speed by Jacob Opperman before he joined in strongly on the turn and safely held the well tried Wolf Prince in the run to the line.

"I don't think this horse is as good as Tigertiger,'' Blacker said.

"We think he's a nice progressive stayer.

"I'm worried about not getting enough two mile races for him, so this race programmed nicely, we were coming with hope more than anything

And Blacker paid credit to Opperman's ability to sit just behind the speed but also be strong on the inexperienced horse late in a the 2500m race.

"That's the right run for him,'' Blacker said.

"He's a good strong going horse, they went harder than I thought.

"Jacob made a lovely decision to tuck in. I put this lad on, I reckon he can really pressure a horse and at the end of 2500m when you're green, you need a bit of strength,'' he said.

Todd Pannell took riding honours with a double while Lachlan Neindorf was able to draw one win back from Jake Toeroek in the race for the Adelaide Jockey Premiership getting home the short priced Bristler who made it two wins on the bounce for Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle.


Racing and Sports

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