Keeper Of Time and Ronan Whelan© Photo Healy Racing
Bargain-buy Keeper Of Time sprang an 80/1 surprise to credit trainer Johnny Feane with a first Group winner today, landing the Group 3 Ballylinch Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown under jockey Ronan Whelan.
The daughter of Memhas was bought by her owner John Nolan, a brother of trainer Brian Nolan and father of jockey David Nolan, for just €3,000 as a yearling and having won her Naas maiden last September, came into today's 15-runner race rated just 93 and taking on last season's Group 1 winner and 113-rated Shale
Shale managed fifth but at the business end Keeper Of Time, under Ronan Whelan, was all-out to hold off fast-finishing, slow-starting, head-second Mehnah which shaped with considerable promise.
Feane later reported “Kevin Manning thought she ran a cracker in the Madrid (Handicap) at the Curragh and she toughed it out well today.
“Ronan gave her a lovely ride, settled her in and came with a run. We’re thrilled with her.
“The better ground helped and she wants good ground. She’s probably a filly that would suit America or somewhere like that.
“There was offers for her before but there will probably be more on the table after this.
“We had a Listed winner last year but that would be our biggest winner so far.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
