By Duane Ranger (Courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Prenzlau trainer Phill Keats wishes there were Trot Rod races staged every week.
The popular handle-bars-down 947m mobile sprint around the 835m Redcliffe triangle track is back with a vengeance, and Keats has now won two heats in two years.
The Donny Smith trained and Paul Diebert driven With The Band won last year’s inaugural Trot Rods Series from gate four in 64.77 seconds (1:50.2 mile rate).
That time was enough to top the leader-board after Risky Buziness had set a 65.24 second benchmark in 2020’s first heat.
Last Wednesday the Peter Greig trained and Peter McMullen driven Elle Jay drew three of five and won the first heat in 67.9 (mile rate 1:55.3).
Then the Keats trained and Angus Garrard driven went 1.4 seconds quicker in the second heat, stopping the clock in 66.5 (1:52.9 mile rate).
“Of course, I’m going to say I like it after winning on Wednesday, but I’ve got the horse and the gate speed to go well in races like this. He can fire out and keep up a steady clip right to the line.
“I love the concept. It’s a change up from ‘more-of-the-same’ week in and week out racing. Personally, I wish they had these one-lap races every week,” Keats said.
It’s not the first time Living Free and Keats have tasted Trot Rods success.
On May 10 last year they won the 10th heat (of 16) from barrier four in 66.1 seconds (mile rate personal best of 1:52.3).
“Angus’s drive won him the race on Wednesday night. Just knows how to rate a horse. He’s one of the best and most promising drivers I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a few good ones here and back home (New Zealand),” Keats said.
“He’s just so laid back, mature, and doesn’t say much,” he added.
Garrard made the $7,000 pace a one-horse race after sprinting hard from gate two and then leading the race by several metres thereafter.
At the line the 8-year-old Live Or Die gelding won by 13.7 metres. His sectionals were 28.8 and 30.2.
Living Free has now won five of his 97 starts and placed in 27 others for $28,674 in stakes. It was the second win of the season for both horse and trainer.
Keats, who works at the Dinmore Meat Works, has now trained 23 winners since February 2002, and driven 31 more since January 1999.
In New Zealand he trained 16 winners from 1994 to 2001 and two thirds from just 19 starters before coming to Queensland in late 1998.
Keats’ parents Gerald and Janet also moved to Australia a few years later to be near family. They own and bred Living Free.
Living Free is the only foal out of the 2007 As Promised brown mare, Free As.
“She only had five starts and fourth was her best before she was retired in (November) 2010. Living Free was born two years later.
“We paid $2,000 for her dam Sweet Liberty (by Gatwick), and Petite Brandon at a Seymour Dispersal Sale. She went on to win 21 races and more than $100,000. The mare died foaling the following year,” Keats said.
His father, Gerald, was also a fan of the Trot Rod Series.
“It helps when you can get a horse to fly out of the gate. Phill has done a good job with him. He works him on our property here in Prenzlau and we fast work them at Marburg,” said Keats (Gerald) who trained in New Zealand before coming to Queensland in 2001.
As for his son, Keats has worked for the best in the business.
The Hokitika born 46-year-old worked for New Zealand harness racing giants Roy and Barry Purdon, and then Paul Hadfield, Dick Prendergast, and John Lischner.
When he crossed the Tasman in 1999, he worked for Darryl Graham for a couple of years before he set up his own training establishment on his parents’ property a couple of years later.
He said Wolf Man Jack and Living Free were the best horses he had trained.
Keats trained and drove his first winner in Australia behind Mister Doremus at Marburg on September 9, 2001.
Keats is married to Lisa and they have two teenage daughters, Penny and Hayley.
Meanwhile, Redcliffe Harness Racing Club president Bernie Ring was delighted with opening night of Trot Rods 2021.
“It has been embraced by the harness racing community after being a bit of a novelty to start with.
“Racing Queensland approached the Club to ask about the Series and we didn’t hesitate taking it on. It has been very well received by trainers.
“This year TAB and Tuza floats have jumped on board as Sponsors with Tuza Floats giving away a two-horse angled float to the winning trainer.
“The Club would like to Thank Rhonda and Otto Tuza for their sponsorship,” Ring said.
He said there would be heats every week leading up to the grand final (with $10,000 bonus) on Wednesday May 26.
Keats said Living Free would probably line up again next week.
