Keen Array has returned to winning form with a smart performance for success in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield this afternoon.
Keen Array returned to winning form in the Testa Rossa Stakes this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Unable to make anything of an impact through a short autumn campaign this year, Keen Array returned to racing this time for a strong second in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) on September 3rd, and has reportedly taken plenty of benefit from the run leading into this afternoon’s second-up appearance.
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Dwayne Dunn elected to take a sit on the Bel Esprit gelding as horses like The Virginian and Yesterday’s Songs took up the early running.
Rounding onto the final straight in a line, Keen Array took a little while to find top gear but pulled clear of his rivals; sustaining a strong enough effort to beat fast-finishing Well Sprung in a photo.
Co-trainer Tom Dabernig was thrilled that Keen Array was able to return to winning form in the Testa Rossa Stakes, but said exact plans are yet to be cemented for the four-year-old.
“It was fantastic, I think that it really showed that he’s back in form,” Dabernig said.
“He travelled in the race like the winner and it looked live like he’d won it comfortably, but when the photo came up I was glad he still had a bit of that winter coat, because he held on by a whisker.
“He was a horse that had a busy spring and then he didn’t quite come up the next prep, which can happen.
“The positive out of that was we were able to give him a good, long spell. He looks to have really come back with the zest to be back in winning form.
“Everyone’s been keen to try him over 1400m and there’s the Rupert Clarke next week, which could be worth consideration.
“If we keep him sprinting, there’s races like the Gilgai or a Listed 1200m here at Caulfield, so there’s plenty of nice races coming up.”
Keen Array has posted five race wins and a further four minors through his thirteen career starts to date.
2016 Testa Rossa Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | KEEN ARRAY | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Dwayne Dunn | – | 5 | 54.5kg | $3.80F |
| 2 | 11 | WELL SPRUNG | Lyn Tolson & Leonie Proctor | Chris Symons | 0.1L | 9 | 54kg | $31 |
| 3 | 6 | SANTA ANA LANE | Lee & Anthony Freedman | Ben Melham | 0.4L | 3 | 54kg | $4.60 |
| 4 | 1 | HUCKLEBUCK | Phillip Stokes | Dom Tourneur | 0.5L | 7 | 61kg | $10 |
| 5 | 3 | YESTERDAY’S SONGS | Michael Moroney | Patrick Moloney | 3L | 4 | 55kg | $31 |
| 6 | 9 | THE VIRGINIAN | Toby Edmonds | Damien Oliver | 4L | 1 | 54kg (cd 54.5kg) | $4 |
| 7 | 8 | TADDEI TONDO | Gerard Moloney | Daniel Stackhouse | 4.4L | 8 | 54kg | $17 |
| 8 | 7 | DAN ZEPHYR | Pat Carey | Michael Dee (a) | 4.9L | 6 | 54kg | $12 |
| 9 | 5 | ING SHOT (NZ) | Stephen McKee | Michael Walker | 6.4L | 2 | 54kg | $51 |
| 10 | 2 | CHARLIE BOY | Peter & Paul Snowden | Mark Zahra | 7.4L | 10 | 59kg | $12 |
