THE Minister’s Gift final over 515 metres in Launceston on Monday night was billed as a clash between two star bitches in Keune and Tecoma Emily.
But what eventuated was a one-act affair that saw the Ted Medhurst-trained Keune power her way to an emphatic win over Lochnane Eve and rank outsider Crimson Leigh.
Keune stopped the clock at 29.71 with slick splits of 5.08 and 17.73 with the overall tome only a couple of lengths of her personal best on the Launceston circuit.
Keune clinched her spot in the final with impressive performances in each of the qualifying heats in Hobart and Devonport.
Keune ($1.90 fav) began brilliantly from box two to lead comfortably at the first turn while Tecoma Emily ($2.50) was the victim of interference twice to the first turn and again heading down the back stretch that ended her winning chances.
The only other finalist given a chance, according to the betting, was Lochnane Eve ($13) that settled second and tried hard throughout but never threatened the eventual winner.
The talented bitch careered away from her rivals to score by over eight lengths.
Keune (Barcia Bale-Miss Roman Nose) has now won at her past seven starts with her winning sequence starting with a brilliant victory in the Devonport club’s Puppy Championship final in which she covered the 452 metres in 25.11 which was close to Sing The Song’s record of 25.01 that she set in May last year.
Keune won her first three starts as a juvenile but a fall at Devonport led to mixed form until she lobbed in the Devonport Puppy Championship.
But she has clearly overcome any timidness that resulted from the fall and Medhurst is likely to aim her at the stars in the coming months that could include the Group 1 Hobart Thousand.
She will back up in Hobart on Thursday night in the Laurels and despite drawing box seven she is likely to start a short-price favourite and should win.
Keune was bred by Terry and Betty Penny who raced the broodbitch Miss Roman Nose with Terry training her to win a Tasmanian Oaks and Country Oaks before being sent to stud.
The whole litter have won multiple races but Keune looks like being the best.
This was the last edition of the Minister’s Gift series, with the race series falling victim to the realignment of stakes distribution.