KEY LARGO SAILS HOME

Going in the right direction, Key Largo (4 g Ocean Park – Enjay, by High Chaparral) produced a stylish victory in the $18,500 Judea Tavern Maiden 1600 metres on 4 October at Tauranga.

Key Largo sustained a very good gallop for second when trialling in May at Waipa, fought solidly for sixth when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1230 metres on 5 July at Rotorua, found the line for fifth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 12 August at Te Rapa, and got going late for fourth in the Maiden 1400 metres on 6 September at Avondale.

“He’s built to a nice win after continuing to strengthen and grow in confidence with racing,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard.

Stripped ready for action, with Kozzi Asano aboard, who accompanied at Te Rapa and Avondale, Key Largo was first out from barrier nine and crossed to lead without spending too much. After dictating terms in front, he was joined by a line of three turning for home, briefly headed inside the 300m, but raced clear when asked to extend.

“He was very competitive and I think the key today was getting him across to somewhere he was comfortable,” Asano said.

“I wasn’t too sure when he jumped out like he did, but no one else wanted to lead and we got an easy sectional from the corner at the 800m.

“That was probably the winning of the race and he was very strong at the end. He ran out a little bit in the straight, but he’s not 100% focussed yet and he had nothing to chase.

“It should help his confidence and I think he’ll handle getting through the grades.”

Winning by two and three-quarter lengths, Key Largo ran 1600 metres in 1:40.5, last 600m in 35.6, on footing soon upgraded from Heavy8 to Soft7, and drifted in betting to pay $8.60 & $2.70 on the TAB tote.

It was a very encouraging victory, especially exercising a turn of foot in keeping with his triple stakes winning grand-dam Gypsy’s Daughter (Mi Preferido) who excelled in her ability to quicken at the business end.

Prior to the race, Gerard said that Key Largo had “been working super, looking forward to getting him over a mile and continuing to grow while retaining his strength.”

Owned by Ms S E Bourke, R D Bridgman, J F Bruford, F & T J Carter, G M & J E Datson, C J Griffin, R E Nieper & M L O Williams, Key Largo was purchased for $50,000 by Brewers Bloodstock at the Karaka 2021 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud.

By Ocean Park (Thorn Park), who won five Group One races, including the Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m), and going well as a stallion at Waikato Stud. He has already sired over 700 winners, 340 stakes winners, including nine at Group One level.

Key Largo became the third individual winner, including winner of four and multiple stakes placed Familia (Makfi), from Enjay (High Chaparral) who won twice to 2100 metres.

Grand-dam Gypsy’s Daughter (Mi Preferido) was a fine race mare, who won three listed races over 2000 metres among seven victories from 1600m – 2200m, and in turn produced five winners of 13 races including Group Two & Three winner Rolling Pin (Pins).

Key Largo was strapped by Bhom Singh.