Gerald Lynch
The Werribee Cup caught the eyes of the west despite gloomy conditions, as Keats took out the top honour on Sunday.
In a thrilling display of resilience, Keats, guided skillfully by jockey Linda Meech, emerged triumphant in the prestigious $150,000 Werribee Cup.
Under the expert training of Gavin Bedggood, the favourite, priced at $3, showcased his class in the 1600-metre race, following a strong third-place finish in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield just a week prior.
Keats arrived in Werribee in some good form, placing in each of his past four races, but came in on a winning drought, dating back to last October.
Despite facing a formidable contender in the well-supported Junipal ($3.10), Keats seemed momentarily overtaken in the straight. Positioned just off the pace in a race where the trailing horses had minimal impact, Keats rallied hard under the strong guidance of Meech.
In a gripping showdown unfolding over the last 100 metres, Keats displayed unwavering resolve, surging ahead once more in the final stages.
With a decisive half-length advantage, Keats crossed the finish line, leaving Ascension trailing by two lengths in a well-fought third place.
Trainer Gavin Bedggood spoke elatedly after the race on racing.com, praising the hardworking horse.
“If they all tried as hard as him it’d make my job very easy,” he said.
“I was a little bit worried (late in the race), but he’s just honest, he loves a dog fight and he doesn’t know when to lay down.
“He’s a more than deserving winner of a race like this.”
Bedggood said he was extremely proud of Keats’ resilience, throughout a period of coming up frustratingly short.
“It means a lot, he hasn’t won for a little while and there’s probably a couple people who questioned how genuine he is,” he said.
“Everybody does a great job at home, and I’m sure it’ll be a great pick-me-up for the stable.”
Winning jockey Linda Meech claimed her second Werribee Cup, after previously winning in 2021, and it’s safe to say she was thrilled to come away with another title.
“He (Keats) just didn’t give up, he kept fighting, and I was pretty happy to beat Harry (jockey of second placed Juinpal),” she grinned while also speaking on racing.com.
“I’ve got a few goals I hope I can get through, I’ll just keep on riding winners and people can say what they like.”
In other results, the combination of Tony and Jacob Newman won the first on Herbert Park, before Danny O’Brien and jockey Liam Riordan claimed the second on Cheval Chic.
Wiremu Pinn guided trainer Michael Kent’s Willabillo for the win in the third race, while Billy Egan guided Jenny The Beaver to victory in the fourth for Ben O’Farrell.
Race five produced another different winning combination with trainer Jamie Edwards and jockey Daniel Moor winning on Reddivo.
In race six, Jye McNeil rode Margie’s Boy to victory for Peter Gelagotis and Tony Noonan got his second win of the day in the last, with Dakotah Keane riding Toff Choice to victory.
