Options Open For Star Filly Keshi Boom

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Thoroughbred

To back up against the boys or chase Group 1 honours and $1.5 million in prizemoney?

That’s the enviable decision facing the all powerful Grant and Alana Williams stable.

Go again next week in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) or take on a race that’s been kind to three-year-olds in recent years in the Northerly Stakes (1800m).

The Williams’ have a promising horse on their hands who laid claims to being a rising star after virtually strolling to victory in the Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot today.

Those above options became eminently possible after the richly talented filly completely outclassed her rivals to win the second leg of a feature race double in 11 days.

As good as she was in winning the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) over Super Smink  last-start, she was even better setting up victory the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes.

Validating $1.45 favouritism, Keshi Boom gave her rivals a galloping lesson and after she settled off the pace for jockey William Pike she cruised home from midfield.

Keeping her unbeaten record intact, Keshi Boom made it four straight wins defeating her nearest rival Miss Rockjoy by 1 ½ lengths with Generosity filling third place.

The sky is the limit for Keshi Boom who gave Grant and Alana Williams a remarkable six Champion Fillies Stakes trophies to add to their mantelpiece.

The Champion Fillies Stakes adds to a host of WA’s best races won by the Williams camp, but Grant admitted with a group of friends and loyal owners involved in Keshi Boom, it generated another layer of satisfaction.

“It blows us away really,” Williams said.

“There is emotion in our wins now, before it was business and you were a little bit numb to it.

“It blows us way a little bit to see how happy a horse can make some people.”

Williams said he would let the dust settle before mapping out the next play for Keshi Boom.

“I’d be lying if I said if we didn’t think really seriously about it (WA Guineas),” Williams said.

“Larns (Alana) is talking maybe going to the 1800 (Northerly), but I would like to keep her at the beach next week and go back to the Guineas, why not.”

Despite the ease of Keshi Boom’s win, Pike believed she had reached her peak by the close of the race.

“That was us at our top,” Pike said.

“I would love to say there was another 10 lengths, but that was not the case.

“She was spot on today; her attitude was perfect.”

Julio Santarelli