Classy mare claims the Pinker Pinker Plate

It might not be the Cox Plate, but Keep De Rose is destined for bigger things than the Pinker Pinker Plate according to Brett Prebble.

The Danny O’Brien trained mare ovecome a tough run to score a tenacious on-pace win in the $100,000 event that was the feature of the first night of the Cranbourne Cup Carnival.

Prebble said the daughter of Keeper was unlikely to emulate the mare who the race was named after, 2011 Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker, but said she would not be out of place in some of the lower level spring features.

“She’ll run 2400 (metres), maybe the Bendigo Cup or something like that (would be suitable),” Prebble said. “She’d be down in the weights and a light weight chance. She’s a very honest mare.”

After jumping well from a wide barrier, Prebble pressed forward aboard Keep De Rose but found himself posted four wide heading out of the straight the first time.

Despite$2.80 favouritre Miss Outshine having a cosy run, Keep De Rose kicked strongly when challenged in the home straight to score by one length.

“I was happy to push forward early and get into a nice position up in the first five...it just took me a little longer then I would have like to,” he said.

“I got on the rail along the back there and she got a good breather and she was very relaxed. Coming to the 500 I knew it was going to take a very smart one to run her down and she gave a good kick under me.”

By Brad Bishop, to view full Spring Racing Carnival story click here

Photo by Slickpix, to view Slickpix website click here