Rangiora trainer Garry Cleeve is one of the best in the business. He and his partner Gaylene Turnwald have spent many years perfecting their breeding lines, and have tasted success in numerous feature races across the country.
So far, the New Zealand Cup has eluded them. But this year, the couple has a strong winning hope in Know Keeper, who recorded the fastest time of the seven heats at Addington on Thursday night. He won stylishly by over nine lengths, and stopped the clock at 29.87, with a spectacular run home time of 11.95.
"I was very pleased with him going into the heat, and very happy with Box 1 for him. As the day drew closer, I took a closer look at the field and thought it might not be as easy as I first thought," said Cleeve.
"So I was a bit nervous walking down to the start, but it all went to plan, and he won pretty easily in the end.
"I've always known he has ability, but his lack of early pace to the first corner is the chink in his armour. Off Box 1, he was able to find a nice position and he was ready to strike down the back."