Rich Enuff stamped himself as a three-year-old to watch with an impressive victory in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on August 23, but trainer Ken Keys is unsure how the talented colt will handle the famous Flemington straight in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
Rich Enuff led all the way to record a strong win in the McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley on August 23. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Rich Enuff led from the start before quickening off a strong tempo in the McKenzie Stakes and the classy win led to Keys, whose wife Louise bred and owns the son of Written Tycoon, being offered big money for the colt from a number of overseas parties.
Keys told Racing Ahead that he expects Rich Enuff to take up the running in the Danehill Stakes this weekend and believes that the immature galloper will take plenty of benefit from his first opportunity down the Flemington straight.
“I would imagine he will be on pace because it does appear that his gate speed is one of his attributes and to be able to quicken off that, but the first time down the straight is going to be a big ask for him because he is still a big baby,” Keys said.
“I think the experience will be good for him.”
While Keys is concerned about how Rich Enuff will handle the Flemington straight, he is happy with the condition of the Caulfield Guineas hopeful heading into the Danehill Stakes on Saturday and believes that the colt has taken plenty of benefit from his three weeks away from the races.
“He is really good,” Keys said.
“The three weeks is going to work out quite nicely, he had an easy week straight after and he had a bit of a quick build-up into that race.
“We have always rated him pretty highly, but we have never seen that from him – what we saw on the raceday.
“He has been a nice horse all the way through.”
Keys revealed after Rich Enuff’s win in the McKenzie Stakes that the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11 would be the major 2014 Spring Racing Carnival target for the valuable three-year-old and he was included in the first acceptances for the race that were released yesterday.
Rich Enuff is currently available at 2014 Caulfield Guineas odds of $15, with McNeil Stakes winner Chivalry ($6) a clear favourite from Gai Waterhouse-trained Almalad ($11), Lloyd Williams-owned Divan ($11) and Vain Stakes winner Get The Nod ($11).
