The first stakes race in Sydney for the season, the $100,000
Listed Paslode Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens, was taken out by
the New Zealand-bred gelding Keepit To Yourself.
After placing at his past three starts, the 6yo gelding
deserved a change of luck.
Ridden by Tommy Berry
for Randwick based trainers Jim and Greg Lee, Keepit To Yourself hit the line
strongly to defeat the regally bred Great Esteem (Redoute's Choice) by a length and a quarter with
Rugged Cross (GB) (Cape Cross) three quarters of a length away in third.(photo Steve Hart)
In earning his first stakes win, the son of Keeper advances
his overall record to 6 wins, 5 seconds and 4 thirds from 30 starts for
earnings of $184,420.
Despite being a son of the noted mud loving stallion Keeper,
Keepit To Yourself finds his best form on firmer tracks according to Greg Lee.
"He got some sort of a dry track today; he's taken the first
step on the ladder so let's hope he takes a few more," Lee said.
"I think he's got the ability to be as good as his brother
(Keepin' The Dream), maybe better.
"I think you'll find he will go ahead now.
Keepit To Yourself's brother Keepin' The Dream won six
stakes races including the Group III Newcastle Newmarket and Group III Hawkesbury
Gold Cup while banking $574,505.
Their dam, the unraced Nassipour mare Irish Nassie is out of
a three-quarter-sister to that mighty stayer Castletown whose 16 wins included
the New Zealand Derby, Auckland Cup, Wellington Cup three times and the
Caulfield Stakes while he placed in the Melbourne Cup and the Sydney Cup twice.
Keepit To Yourself becomes the 29th stakes-winner
for Cambridge Stud's Group 1 winning Danehill stallion Keeper whose fee has
been set at $7,000 this season.
