Tasracing

Tegan Keys-trained five-year-old-mare Kel’s Star opened the account for Tasmanian horses racing in Victoria since the enforced stoppage of racing, when she won a benchmark 58 at Spendthrift Australia Park (Werribee) on Friday.

Sent out a $13 chance with bookmakers and having her first run in just over a month, the daughter of Wordsmith was given a great ride by apprentice Tahlia Hope to wear down the tearaway leader Kaimu ($7.00 into $4.80) late, in a race that became a war of attrition.

Keys was again represented at Flemington the next day when her evergreen eight-year-old mare Secrets She Has ran far better than her $81 starting price suggested, to finish midfield beaten just over two lengths in a benchmark 84.

Keys is the life partner of trainer Scott Brunton and they both would have been on the edge of their seats when The Inevitable stepped out in an open handicap in the second last race on the Flemington program.

The four-year-old gelding has been transferred to Victorian trainer Patrick Payne due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and it would have been a relieved Seven Mile Beach household when the gelding charged home into second place behind track and distance specialist Prezado ($9.00) over 1000m which is well short of The Inevitable’s best.

Speaking after the race, Brunton was pleased with the run and confirmed bigger targets likely loom next start.

“I just thought he was terrific the way he ran through the line,”

“It was a great run, massive relief for me, I think he is on track for the Goodwood,” Brunton said.

The Inevitable’s closing sectionals were comfortably the best of the race and he did so carrying 60kg even after the claim for Tahlia Hope who rode another good race after her win on Friday.

The Group 1 Goodwood handicap will be run over 1200m at Morphettville in South Australia on 16 May and The Inevitable is currently $10 with Ladbrokes on the fifth line of betting.