News

Bargain buy has Flemington stakes win

4th Nov 2010

Wide World Of Sports - Mark Ryan - Thursday, 4 November 2010

Trainer Ken Keys' liking for the stallion Hemingway paid off handsomely when bargain buy Status Symbol won the Crown Promenade Stakes at Flemington.

A $2000 yearling, Status Symbol (pictured) became the sire's first stakes winner after she jumped from the outside barrier in the Listed 1100m straight event and lived up to her consistent form.

A pick-up ride for Craig Newitt due to Blake Shinn fracturing his ankle in a race fall on Melbourne Cup day, Status Symbol was sent out at $51 despite an encouraging first-up fourth to the smart Varenna Miss over 1100m on a heavy track on Caulfield Cup day.

"I'm a fan of Hemingway. She was a nice filly and I paid only $2000 for her," a delighted Keys said.

Status Symbol, a Caulfield 1100m winner in April, handled the heavy going well to score by a half-length from Jerezana ($5.50) with Zingaling ($9.50) a half-length away third.

"When I first looked at the barrier I went 'yuck' but as the weather's been like it has I thought that might not be so bad and it's worked out nice," Keys said.

"He (Newitt) had one front of him sort of not knowing where it was going, so he did a good job getting through."

It was not the first time Keys had trained a winner on Oaks day, having won the 1988 Byron Moore Stakes (1000m) with the brilliant two-year-old filly Saloon Rule who went on to win the Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Sandown at her next start.

Saloon Rule was unplaced in the Blue Diamond and the Golden Slipper that season.

"That was a lot of years back, but it's been a good day for us," Keys said.

"She's been a little ripper this mare, she just keeps getting better."

Newitt described the win as a big thrill.

"That's probably the best she's relaxed in a race so far and I was pretty confident a long way out, I just needed a clear passage," he said.

"Midway through the race I was in a bit of an awkward spot because they all came out to me, which I didn't really expect, but she really travelled well and she let go good."