KEY POINTS:
Stu Manning is enjoying a stunning run with Katy Keen, who made it eight wins in a row when taking out the $140,000 Travis Stakes at Te Rapa yesterday.
The 4-year-old mare has an electrifying sprint finish and major cup races next spring are worth considering for the
daughter of Zorros Lad.
Manning is considering backing her up in next Saturday's $150,000 Rotorua Cup.
One thing is certain, with the likes of Princess Coup, Pasta Post and Katy Keen in superb form along with Australian Derby winner Nom du Jeu, New Zealand-trained thoroughbreds may be back in force in Melbourne next spring.
Katy Keen scored by a length over Dutyful in the Group Two weight-for-age feature with a further long head back to Pams Pompallier (third).
SOME HUGE REPUTATIONS were dented following the $20,000 2-year-old race.
Matamata-based jockey Michael Coleman is predicting an exciting future for Bright Spark, an impressive winner, who sprinted home to post a 1 1/2 length victory over Rough Odds with a further 1 3/4 lengths back to Baloo (third).
The son of Spartacus has been patiently handled by Cambridge trainer Murray Baker scoring this victory and one minor placing from four starts.
Baker was not at Te Rapa as he was basking in Group One winning glory in Sydney, having trained Nom du Jeu to win the $1.8 million Australian Derby at Randwick.
"This was the first time I have ridden Bright Spark but he gave me a nice feel and it was a good effort as he was backing up a week after racing on a heavy track at Hastings," said Coleman.
KANE SMITH showed plenty of patience and judgment to work through a tight gap when punching My Astron to victory in the $40,000 premier sprint.
Smith gave My Astron a dream run tracking the pace setting Who Knows but had to wait for clear racing room in the home stretch.
The gap appeared off the running rail and My Astron scored by a head over Who Knows with a further three-quarters of a length back to Accardo.
My Astron has been a consistent performer for Waipukurau-based trainer Kelly Burne scoring four wins and five minor placings from 14 starts.
CAMBRIDGE TRAINERS Alan and Linda Jones have sold their massive training property to co-trainer Brett McDonald and are shifting to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
The appropriately named Alan and Linda Jones Farewell Premier, the final event at the Cambridge Jockey Club meeting, acknowledged the massive contribution both have made to the New Zealand industry.
The Jones have owned a property at Caloundra for years and will train a small racing team while enjoying a tamer winter climate in Queensland.
The 54-1 shot Justacross scored a length victory over Tiakinui with a further long neck back to Lily L'Amour (third).