Changing tactics a key to Sandown Guineas success

Cranbourne trainer Ken Keys will instruct jockey Dwayne Dunn to ride First Course quieter in the Group 2 $350,000 Sandown Guineas (1600m) today.

Keys has a happy knack of producing feature race winners at double-figure odds and the consistent First Choice is a $19 chance on TABSportsbet.
The lightly-raced front runner finished fourth to Galah in the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last start.

“He was beaten a length and a quarter by (favourite) Galah last start, so he’s got to be some chance,” Keys said.

“He was left a bit of a sitting duck (in front).

“We’ll try to get cover from his good (seven) barrier.

“We’re trying to find a length.”

Keys is no stranger to a big priced feature winner.

In 1988, Saloon Rule gave Keys his first major success in the listed Byron Moore Stakes in Melbourne Cup week at $101.

The best horse he says he’s trained, Flushed, won the 2001 Group 3 Let’s Elope Stakes at $26, while, among others, Blue Collar Jack won the 2005 Cranbourne Cup at $17.

Boom ‘N’ Zoom won his hometown 2011 Cranbourne Cup at $17 and last Saturday on Emirates Stakes day at Flemington, Musical Hit scored at $13 in the $100,000 Antler Luggage Handicap  (2000m).

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