‘Lotto Lou’ geared up for Karaka crack
Eighteen months after scooping more than $10m in the Powerball jackpot, Lou Te Keeti is gearing up for a crack at a million-dollar race.
The Tauranga kauma¯tua owns Aalaalune, one of the horses he bought with his Lotto winnings, and a starter in the Karaka Million race at Ellerslie today.
“We’re just so thrilled to be participating,” Te Keeti said.
“When you consider there’s over a thousand yearlings that go through the sales — to be one of the lucky 14 to make it into the field, that’s already exceeded our expectations,” he said.
Te Keeti, now in his 70s, figured he’d be happily retired at this point in his life. But the $10.3 million win in July 2017 meant he and his wife Val could indulge their love of racing.
“We seem to be going backwards . . . but we’re thoroughly enjoying it,” he said. “It gives us a reason to get out of bed in the morning, it’s great.”
Having young trainer Jacob McKay on his team was another perk, Te Keeti said.
Upon meeting him last summer, Te Keeti said he quickly realised he was a “young man going places”.
“Even though I’m at the other end of the age range, I admire people who are get up and go people and are prepared to roll up their sleeves and work hard.
“I thought I’d trust my gut and invest a couple of my horses with him.”
While he said McKay was off to a good start, Te Keeti said all trainers needed some high profile horses to make their CV. “I’m just hoping that between us we might have the horse that might help to enhance his reputation.”