Though his jockey career ended earlier than he may have aimed for initially, Nick Keal is enjoying the training ride and having broken through with a tricky mare last start, he is hoping to so it again with She’s Brutal at Ipswich on Friday.
While 27-year-old Keal took less than eight weeks to train his first winner after his first runner in June 2024 but for the four-year-old mare, five outings in Victoria went unrewarded for the daughter of Group 1 Doncaster Mile-winning sire Brutal when under the care of Robbie Griffiths.
Identified as a cheap purchase online, Keal took control and delivered a win at Toowoomba in maiden company over 1200-metres on October 6.
“Her racing manners weren’t very good and they are probably not at their best yet but it is good to get horses from down south to come up and win,” Keal said.
“We tried a heap of different gear and we ended up putting the nose roll on her which has made her level her head out a bit more when she goes to let down.”
She’s Brutal is rated an $8.50 chance in the RTE Custom Trucks F&M Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m) in an open race with the Kris Lees-trained So Inspired the $3.90 favourite with online betting sites.
“She has improved again after Toowoomba and her gallop on Tuesday was really good,” he added.
“I think she will be a better horse when she can step over ground.”
The mare had also accepted at Toowoomba on Saturday but Keal chose the Ipswich option after drawing a better barrier in seven.
With 25 winners in 138 starters so far, Keal’s 10-horse stable is running at a return of 1.1 according to Racing and Sports.
