Keen Array to Take Benefit from Bletchingly Stakes

July 25, 2017

Keen Array to Take Benefit from Bletchingly Stakes

Trainer David Hayes is pleased with the condition of Keen Array ahead of his return in Saturday’s Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m), but believes that the horse will take plenty of benefit from whatever he manages in the feature race.

Keen Array will return to the races in Saturday's Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Keen Array will return to the races in Saturday’s Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Keen Array has been a strong and largely consistent performer for Lindsay Park throughout his entire racing career so far, but failed to come up in the autumn and was sent back to the paddock before making an appearance at the races.

Hayes confirmed that the Bel Esprit gelding will be set for Group 1 targets this season and is confident that he will run when well in the Bletchingly Stakes first-up, with plenty of room to improve.

“He’ll certainly run well but I suspect he’ll get better with racing and possibly even over some more ground this spring,” Hayes told Racing Victoria.

“He came back from Perth and really had a bad prep in the autumn – which can happen with horses – so instead of taking him to the races, we cut our losses and put him out.

“But he’s come back really well and impressed in his trials so I’ll be looking for a strong run from him on Saturday.”

Part-owner Mark Pilkington said that the syndication and Lindsay Park will look to step Keen Array up in trip slightly this time, with the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) figuring as a likely target.

“He’s out of a Zabeel mare (Moorea) and so we’ve always looked forward to getting him out over some ground and that’s what will happen this prep,” Pilkington said.

Keen Array has shown plenty of ability since making his debut in the autumn of 2015 and will take his place in the Bletchingly Stakes field with a commendable record of six wins and four minors, from only seventeen starts.

Winner of the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) and second in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) most notably as a three-year-old, Keen Array resumed last spring for a close second behind Voodoo Lad in the Listed Fruit Supply Stakes (1200m) before posting consecutive wins in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) and Listed Caulfield Village Stakes (1200m).

Fourth in the Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m) on October 29th, the gelding out of Moorea failed to finish better than midfield in either of the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) or Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) most recently.

Place your Bletchingly Stakes bet at Ladbrokes.com.au to take advantage of the best odds available online!

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Z...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pr...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

Pride Of Jenni was enormous running her rivals ragged with a blistering...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results:...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Dublin Down is into Saturday week’s 2024 Golden Slipper field after a gutsy...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results:...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

Celestial Legend put the writing on the wall for a huge year ahead with the...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Top honours in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes results at Royal Randwick went to...

Race Results

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Zougotcha Dives Late to Salute

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Race Previews

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Magic Night Winner Drifting Firms in Golden Slipper 2024 Betting

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

Fields & Form

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

2024 Randwick Guineas Field & Odds Update: Militarize Set to Strike Second-Up