Chris Waller finished the day at Rosehill with a winning treble after Key West led throughout to win the $85,000 Alpha Flight Services (BM79) Handicap (1200m).
Waller had early notched wins with Matiya’s Pride and Coup Ay Tee (NZ), both of whom were out of form and it should have been no surprise to punters that another out of form Waller run would salute (the $6.90 price with NSWTAB suggested it wasn’t) .
Ridden by Nash Rawiller, Key West jumped well from barrier eight and Rawiller headed straight to the lead and that was the end of the section.
Rolling along at an even tempo, Key West was making every post a winner and that was no more so than in the straight when Rawiller kicked after turning, leaving is rivals floundering behind.
He got out to a three length lead mid straight and held on to score by three quarters to Mon Soleil (Brown) with a further short half head Underthetuscansun (Schofield) in third place. The overall time was 1.11.72 with the last 600m run in 35.32.
“That has capped off a very nice afternoon,” stable foreman Peter Muscutt said. “Three winners, a very nice afternoon.
“This fellas form has been indifferent, mixing it up a little, it was a great ride by Nash, he took the initiative and a winning break at the top of the straight saw him win.”
“He showed good acceleration early today, so I was probably a little bit surprised,” Rawiller said. “I was surprised in the horse, he jumped, spent a few weeks in the water walker and it showed in the way he travelled.
“I was pretty happy with the time I had midrace and I thought lets put three on them and we will be hard to run down.”
Key West is by Tale Of The Cat (USA) out of the Kenmare (FR) mare Floridays and is owned by K & Mrs J Pooley. His record now stands at 29 starts for six wins and four placings with prizemoney totalling $334,550.
Picture ATC