Kevin Keys Plays Willing Student
28 March, 2019
Harness
Over the past 50 years Kevin Keys has carved out a reputation as one of Western Australia’s most astute and successful harness racing trainers.
The pedigree is strong with his late father Leo Keys also an outstanding trainer-driver who competed in the first Inter Dominion Championship at Gloucester Park in 1936.
But despite his family background and half a century of experience in the sport, Kevin Keys has a thirst to build and extend his racing knowledge.
He credits a conversation with one of his contempories as the spark and catalyst that has given his stable a form spike in recent weeks.
Last Friday at Gloucester Park, Dominate The Dojo ended a run of close finishes with a narrow, but well-deserved victory over Liberty Rose.
Three days later it was the turn of stable mate Sarah Goody, who upset the favourite, Our Alfie Romeo in the Golden Girls Mile (1684m) at Pinjarra.
Notwithstanding his long involvement in harness racing, Keys says he still maintains a burning passion to build his racing knowledge
“I’m 70 years old and still learning,” Keys said on Tabradio.
“In the last eight weeks I have changed my training routine around completely.
“In this game you never stop learning, you have to fine tune and keep on learning.
“I made a phone call to Aiden Warwick and that’s the best phone call I made.
“I find him a very, very, astute trainer. I have used some of his ideas.
“He couldn’t be more helpful and I feel he’s made a big difference.”
Keys is confident there is more improvement to come from Sarah Goody, who remains undefeated from her two runs back this preparation.
“I’m very happy with her, it’s her second run coming back in,” Keys said.
“I’m was very happy with her run under the circumstances of where she landed, I was rapt and the time was there.
“She was giving them five or six lengths at the half mile.
“She has come back stronger and I’m looking forward to going down there Friday night.”
Sarah Moody will aim for a winning hat trick in the Glenroy Chaff Stakes (2536m) at Gloucester Park on Friday.
Dominate The Dojo will contest the Glenroy Chaff-Pinjarra Traders Pace (2130m).
Photo: Scott Hamilton Media
Julio Santarelli