Dubbo trainer Charmaine Roberts has all bases covered with eleven starters across six events over the four distances at Dawson Park on Saturday night.
After a sedate start with solo entrants Rose Keeping (R2) and Danielle Keeping (R4), the Dubbo-based mentor’s night ramps up – ironically in the Happy Birthday Charmaine Stakes over 516m – with Memphis Keeping, Bonnie Keeping and Squiggle Keeping taking on one of best sprinters in the land, Jungle Deuce, and the brilliant Casual Glance.
Following a near-record 29.45s win at Dubbo on May 28, Jungle Deuce was imperious in three successive wins at Albion Park before a moderate start from box five had him in traffic at the first turn, badly checked and out of play at Dawson Park on July 10. His fifth to Memphis Keeping was only the fourth unplaced result in 20 starts (13 wins). Next up was a tilt at the Group 1 Maturity at The Meadows one week later, yet a slow start from box three proved to be his kryptonite.
Back to a more familiar venue, Jungle Deuce is sure to start the popular elect, but Casual Glance has high speed and boasts a smart 29.54s PB at Dubbo - he certainly has the early zip to lead.
The Ladbrokes Red Dog Final (R8) boasts five My Redeemer x Milly Keeping siblings - four prepared by Roberts, while Lee Keeping is in Angela Kilpatrick’s care.
Fastest heat winner Brown’s Boy could not have been more impressive in his slick 18.23s debut offering on July 24, yet he moves from the inside alley to box six for the decider.
Peter Carr’s Morales Casey (box one), worked very hard to win his heat from box seven in 18.67s and, on the merit of an 18.35s maiden win seven days earlier, is a live threat. It’s a race of substance.
Robert’s night closes with the impressive Harrison Keeping in Race 10. He was supreme in a 12 ¼ lengths maiden win over three rivals at Dubbo on July 24. Now up in grade and facing a full field, Harrison Keeping must content with box six yet, to the eye and on the clock, he’s a serious talent.
