Weedon trainer Darren Keast heads home tonight satisfied that his trip south with a handful of horses was successful and he is already planning his return.
Keast has been in the south for four weeks and wins today at Winton by Seaside Fantasy (On the coast) was his fourth. His other wins were with Tosana at the Northern Southland and Tuapeka and Surreal Moran meetings at Wyndham. All four were driven by Mark Hurrell.
“It’s been a good trip and I’m lucky to have built a bond with Brent and Raewyn Shirley. I come here and I’m pretty much part of the family. Seaside Fantasy and Tosana are coming back to Ascot Park in December for the Canada Stakes,” Keast said.
In the SBSR/Diamond Creek Farm Mobile Pace, driver Mark Hurrell put Seaside Fantasy back in the field before releasing her in the 300.
“She was a little flat when I came around the corner, but she hasn’t had too many starts, so she probably got a little bit lost. As soon as I straightened up, even though I gave them length, I was like, ‘I got this,'” Hurrell said.
Seaside Fantasy was let down in what commentator Craig Rail described as ‘a storming finish.’
“When she turned into the straight, she just flew. You could just feel her drop her butt and go. Not many of them can do that.”
REPETITION OF FANTASY BY THE SEA
Keast wasn’t sure how the three-year-old would fare today.
“‘She’s been here for two weeks and I missed a trial last week. I took her to Wyndham for an easy run in a student heat and then the Invercargill trials were cancelled, so she’s only had one training session. So she should improve.’
Seaside Fantasy qualified and had two runs ahead of Greendale trainer Norm Leacock-Jones.
“I saw her race in both of her starts. In her last start early in the year I was really impressed with her run,” Keast said.
He recommended her to some friends in Australia, but no deal materialized and Darren’s grandfather Paul Renwick bought her.
That was Keast’s take on the filly Seaside Fantasy destined for the Southern Oaks, but the plan didn’t come to fruition.
“She wasn’t even supposed to be on this trip, but all the credit goes to my foreman James McDonald. He does all the work with her and the rest is history.”
Seaside Fantasy is one of two foals from Red River Hanover mare Karanga Red Fantasy, who descends from Wave Eyre, one of the foundation mares of SBSR breeder Dave Kennedy.
For full race results, click here.
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
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