Racing: Winning post 'just in time'

Keeninsky has provided Auckland jockey Allan Peard with a roller coaster ride.

The 26-year-old jockey gained his first Group One win when he partnered Keeninsky to victory in the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes last April.

It was win No 2 at Group One level for Peard when he got Keeninsky home in the $100,000 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham yesterday.

But the same horse also provided Peard with one of his biggest disappointments when he was replaced by Opie Bosson as the rider for the Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton, Christchurch, in November.

Keeninsky failed in the Two Thousand Guineas and ironically Bosson copped a $10,000 fine and three-week suspension for causing severe interference.

Peard had ridden Keeninsky at his previous start when second in the Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Otaki and said he was gobsmacked when told he was not required for the next start.

"I was more shocked than anything, speechless. I just wasn't expecting it."

Conversely the reaction was of great delight when Waikato trainer Stephen Autridge rang Peard for the Paeroa trials on January 13.

Peard was having a couple of days off at the time but when it was established the horse was Keeninsky, Peard said he was "there in a heartbeat".

Keeninsky won the trial and Peard said his hopes for the Telegraph soared.

"He just felt awesome in the trial," Peard said. "I could feel the improvement in him from the last time I had ridden him."

Keeninsky was having his first start for more than two months but was still well supported to be the third favourite and return a win dividend of $7.20.

Peard had the Stravinsky three-year-old colt up with the leaders from a handy draw and after kicking clear half-way down the straight he held on to win by a half a head from the fast-finishing Sedecrem.

Peard said the finishing post could not have come up quick enough.

"It seemed to be getting further and further away over the last 50 metres."

Keeninsky has now raced 11 times for seven wins and two seconds and first prize of $62,500 took his stake earnings to $370,000. Autridge trains Keeninsky in partnership with Graeme Rogerson.

Rogerson sold his half-share in Keeninsky to Dick Karreman of Queensland last May.

Karreman owns The Oaks Stud in the Waikato.

The Telegraph provided a great finish with Sedecrem storming home for second while a long neck away third was Dezigna, a nose to fourth-placed Shastri and short neck to Rapid Kay, fifth.

Sydney visitor Recurring, who had won the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie. only finished 10th after being given every chance.

There was a fall in the straight when Magistra Delecta clipped the heels of Figurinit.

- NZPA

What now

The weight-for-age Waikato Draught Sprint at Te Rapa on February 12 is the next assignment for Keeninsky.

Co-trainer Stephen Autridge was enjoying the moment of winning a Group One race with a three-year-old that had not raced for 10 weeks and was taking on New Zealand's premier sprinters.

"He hadn't raced since the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 10 and we'd given him just the one trial run leading into this race so it's a very satisfying training achievement," said Autridge.

"It's a brave move throwing a three-year-old in against the older and more mature racehorses but this colt is a real athlete and I knew he'd be tough to catch with 50.5 kilograms on his back and a nice draw.