Stretch out in trip to suit Keats at The Valley

Keats has become a staple of 1600-metre races in Victoria, but the imported galloper will get out to at least 10 furlongs for the first time in almost a year when he contests Saturday’s Luna Hand Care Handicap at The Valley.

Seven of the gelding’s past nine runs have been over 1600m, with the other two at 1800m, and trainer Gavin Bedggood would like to think the tenacious on-pacer will enjoy a more favourable run in the 2040m event.

“He’s always the hunted – everyone wants to park right on his hammer – and while he never runs badly, he never gets any peace,” Bedggood said.

“At 2000 metres, he probably doesn’t need to go much slower, he can hold a nice even gallop the whole way, but I suppose once you get up to that sort of distance range he might get a little more peace.”

The son of Galileo– who has had six starts at around 2000m for one win and three minor placings – will have just six rivals at The Valley, none of whom are noted front-runners.

Keats has not started since his 3-1/4-length fifth placing in the Winter Championship Final (1600m) on July 1, which followed a second placing in the Swan Hill Cup (1600m).

They are among seven runs in a campaign that started with a fourth placing in the Carlyon Cup (1600m) on February 11, but Bedggood said the six-year-old is holding together well.

“He had 10 days down at the beach post that, he’s done that all prparaion, three weeks between runs and then gone down there 10 days and seems to be doing well.

“He’s been in work a long time but he’s a big gross horse and he comes back from there almost like he’s had a spell.”

Keats will be ridden by Craig Williams and jump from the outside barrier in the event that also includes consistent Mike Moroney-trained Milford and in-form Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper Flash Flood.