Takanini's training dream team continued their magical group one season at Trentham yesterday.
Father and son training combination Trevor and Stephen McKee have conquered the racing world with Sunline this season and added to their group one haul when course specialist Star Of Gold clawed his way to victory in the $130,000 Telegraph Handicap.
While Star Of Gold is no Sunline he showed his love of the straight sprinting chute at Trentham to grab flying filly Spring Rain near the line, with favourite Travellin' Man diving into third late after having traffic problems in the straight.
The win took Star Of Gold's record at Trentham to six wins and six minor placings from 14 starts.
Trevor McKee agreed the horse had an affinity with the course.
"He just grows another leg here," said McKee.
"The big roomy track gives him time to find his feet."
McKee said the success was deserved after finishing third in last year's Telegraph and filling the same position in the group one Railway Handicap of the same year.
"He was bit unlucky here last year," McKee said.
"He couldn't get a go behind Fritz."
McKee was unsure of future plans for Star Of Gold but said a possible option was the group one $100,000 weight-for-age Waikato Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 10.
Star Of Gold, a six-year-old gelding by Famous Star, is owned by a mainly Wellington syndicate of four.
Trevor McKee is included in the syndicate along with Wellington Racing Club committee man Jim Gates, Lower Hutt hotelier Peter Norrie and John Voyle, formerly of Wellington but now in Auckland.
They purchased the horse for $32,000 as a yearling and yesterday's winning purse of $81,250 took his stake earnings to $238,000.
- NZPA
Racing: McKees gold rush continues
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