Family affair the Keys to training dominance

WHILE reigning premier thoroughbred trainer Scott Brunton has already taken a big lead in the race for the premiership with 22 winners, his future father-in-law John Keys has had his best start to a season in years.

Keys has prepared eight winners but he has achieved that from only 16 starters to give him a 50 per cent strike rate. His charges also have notched a second, two thirds, a fourth and two fifths.

Amaword has been his standout performer, winning all four of his starts this season. But his promising middle-distance performer Submit Another has won at his past two outings and his full sister Flourishing Future resumes in Launceston on Wednesday night, and Keys is confident she will make her presence felt.

“This is probably the best team I’ve had for a long time but it has really been a result of being patient,” Keys said.

“I had nine horses that didn’t go early, so I’ve had to put them away and wait until they matured with the hope of getting a couple of winners but, so far, they have just about all performed well and it’s great.”

His handy sprinter O’Lonh Star won the Goodwood Handicap in Hobart leading up to the Newmarket, but three from his former broodmare Starred are his shining lights this season.

Submit Another (x Needs Further) was a late developer but his efforts to win at his past two starts in September suggested the gelded son of Starred has a very bright future.

“Submit Another showed me nothing as a two-yearold but at three he started to give me a glimpse of the star quality that lay within,” Keys said. “His win at Devonport over a mile [1650m] was outstanding, but his last-start win in Hobart over pretty much the same trip [1600m] was even better, so I’m quite excited about what might unfold with him when he returns soon.

“Flourishing Future is Submit Another’s full sister and she resumes racing on Wednesday night in Laun- ceston and I’d be very disappointed if she didn’t finish in the first three.”

Keys is also thrilled that his daughter Tegan is taking giant strides as a trainer. She sits just ahead of her father on the trainers’ premiership table, also with eight winners, but more minor placegetters from her 39 starters.

Tegan is Scott Brunton’s fiancee, so between them they have amassed 46 winners and 48 minor placegetters for $593,500 in stakes.