For the second successive year the favourite has been beaten in the Caulfield Classic, a key lead up to the Victoria Derby.
Following the scratching of Red Aces at the barrier before Saturday’s Group 3 contest over 2000m for three-year-old colts and geldings, Keeneland shortened dramatically to run an odds-on favourite with betting apps.
Keeneland’s official starting price of $2.20 was nowhere as short as the $1.28 Riff Rocket was sent out in last year’s contest when the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Sunsets lowered his colours.
Riff Rocket rebounded two weeks later to claim the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington, the race Keeneland is heading towards on November 2.
Saturday’s winner Kingofwallstreet ($8.50) is Derby bound after scoring by a nose from China Sea ($9) with Keeneland a long head away third.
“I think he’ll relish the trip, and I think over that distance he will be a bit more versatile,” winning trainer Matt Cumani said.
“It was a good test today to see that he can break well and put himself in a decent spot.
“It was good to see him on some soft ground. I don’t think we’ll get that on Derby Day, but we could, and at least now we know he’ s versatile.”
