Tasracing

King Island trainer Robert Keys continued his domination of the Jim McKenzies Agencies King Island Thoroughbred Cup when Needs More Love gave the popular trainer his fourth consecutive Cup victory.

Ridden by leading Tasmanian rider David Pires, Needs More Love began well from out wide on the track to settle in second spot before taking over at the top of the home straight to go on and score by 1.5 lengths over the stablemate Push Pause with Skwosh a long head away third.

“I’m unsure how many I have won, but I do know that it is my fourth cup in a row, so I’m pretty proud,” Robert Keys said when talking to on track master of ceremonies Dean Pettit after the win.

Keys bred the Needs Further mare with Saturday’s win being her fourth in a row at her 16th racetrack appearance.

The win was the first in the race for rider David Pires who is experiencing his first season of Island racing.

“Jess (Philpot, rider of Mr Zigmond) set a nice tempo upfront and that allowed her to relax and get a couple of breathers, and she railed like a greyhound and really hit the line well, it was a really good win today,” said Pires.

“It is my first go over here this season, and Robert (Keys) has given me the opportunity to ride his horses this season, and to win the King Island Cup at my first try is pretty special,” added the leading jockey who has several nice rides over the coming months during the Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer of Racing.

Pacing Cup

The Carlton And United Breweries King Island Pacing Cup was won by the John Rhodes- trained Karalta Kruise.

Karalta Kruise wins the 2021 Carlton And United Breweries King Island Pacing Cup.

Driver Wade Rattray got the seven-year-old gelding away well to take up the lead in the 2438- metre event, and after being headed by Mi Ju Dan at the top of the home straight, Karalta Kruise was able to fight back and score by two metres over Mi Ju Dan with Frankie Falzoni a long neck away third.

“He has gone well since he has come over here, his last few runs before he arrived were alright, and John (Rhodes) has done an excellent job with him over here,” said Rattray post-race.

“It was a strong win today, he had to really tough it out late,” added the reinsman.

Three meetings are remaining on King Island for the season with the next meeting to be held this Saturday.

No doubt the K.I.R.C will be hoping for better weather after Saturday’s meeting was conducted in strong winds and several showers throughout the day.

Photos courtesy of Michael Laskey Photography.

Watch Needs More Love take out the 2021 Jim McKenzies Agencies King Island Cup.