Comeback galloper Boom ‘N’ Zoom has completed an unlikely hat-trick of wins for Cranbourne trainer Ken Keys at Caulfield.
Only a day after landing his first double in memory in photo-finishes with Lightenuff and Deity Dane at Geelong, Keys scored a “special” victory with Boom ‘N’ Zoom in Saturday’s Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation Cup (1800m).
Broken down with a bowed tendon 13 months ago, Boom ‘N’ Zoom was second-up after an eye-catching third at Flemington over 1600m at Flemington on April 16 and could not have been more impressive.
Ridden patiently by Lincoln Coffey, Boom ‘N’ Zoom ($15) was second last to the home turn and unwound a whirlwind finish to score a three-quarter length win over odds-on favourite Vivid Vixen ($1.85) with Oronero ($26) a nose away third.
“This is pretty special,” Keys said.
“He is a genuine good horse who obviously has had a problem and we just hope the tendon stays together now.
“He will mix it with the best of them if we keep him sound.”
Boom ‘N’ Zoom has won three of his 16 starts but his Caulfield win was his first at a Saturday fixture.
Keys paid tribute to rehabilitation specialist Peter Clarke at Murchison who cared for Boom ‘N’ Zoom while he recovered from his tendon injury.
“It was 25 per cent gone but the advice was to give him 12 months which we did and now he has won on a Saturday,” he said.
Coffey, who also won on Lightenuff at Geelong, rarely rides in the city.
He couldn’t remember his last city winner but guessed that it was at least eight or nine months ago.
“I don’t get many opportunities and I was grateful to get the ride on this horse,” Coffey, whose only mount at Caulfield was Boom ‘N’ Zoom, said.
Keys said that the timing of Boom ‘N’ Zoom’s campaign had prevented him from running in Thursday’s Warrnambool Cup (2350m) but he hopes to back him up next Saturday over 2000m at Flemington ahead of the start of the Banjo Paterson Series which begins with the first of six heats at Flemington on May 21.
The $152,000 final over 2600m is at Flemington on July 9.
AAP TURF
