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Trainer Ken Keys Says Al Passem's Odds at Caulfield Guineas Not a True Reflection of His Ability!

Written on the 13 October 2017

After a poor performance in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude and drawing barrier 12 in the Caulfield Guineas, Ken Keys still feels his $126 odds hopeful Al Passem can make an impact on Saturday.

Earlier in the year Al Passem was doing well with a couple of wins over 1100m and has since fallen behind as he was put to the test over longer distances.

Apprentice jockey Ben Thompson tried to go forward on the colt in the Prelude over 1400 metres but when that didn't work out, the colt was jagged back and over-raced fiercely, beaten by 7.2 lengths behind the winner Perast.

"If you take out that disaster last start, his previous runs were really good including being beaten just a couple of lengths behind Catchy," Keys said.

"There was some trainer and jockey error in the Prelude and it was a total disaster.

"I know he was beaten a long way but the good thing was he was still trying to find the line after over-raicng for a furlong.

"No-one has ever particularly shown much interest in this horse but I myself have a great opinion of him.

"He goes out at silly odds in the Guineas and those odds are not a true reflection of his ability or the fact he has always been crying out for 1600m.

"We have drawn shocking and if we try to take them on we will crucify ourselves.

"So we will drop back to hopefully seventh or eight and hopefully be running home strongly."

Back in 2014, Keys narrowly failed to join the Group 1 club at the Caulfield Guineas with $1.80 favourite Rich Enuff.

At the time the Cranbourne trainer accepted the help offered by Racing Victoria to deal with a stream of media and other requests while he was trying to prepare Rich Enuff for the race and negotations for the sale of the colt.

Keys has been calmer this week and laughs over the fact Racenet's telephone call has been the only media enquiry he has received over his outsider.

But he reckons the Al Maher sired colt, who also wears the same colours as Rich Enuff, would be taken much more seriously if it wasn't for the 'disaster' run in the Prelude.

Ben Thompson once again takes the Al Passem reins on Saturday.

(Photo: Al Passem with jocke Ben Thompson - Photo source: breednet.com.au)

 


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Authorised Representative
(AR 001 272 774) under the TTSC's AFSL (288-213)