Ken and Kasey Keys have called on a jockey change for Scheelite but resisted a change of gear for their Caulfield Guineas hope.
Mark Zahra takes over aboard Scheelite in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday, replacing Daniel Stackhouse who had ridden the colt in his previous three starts.
Ken Keys said there was ‘no blue’ with Stackhouse but the trainer was reading the room.
“There was no problem with Stacky, and even though he hasn’t said anything, there is every chance that he could be going to Sydney to ride Benedetta on Guineas Day,” Keys said.
“So, we didn’t want to get stranded, but then again Mark could get off after this start and get on something else.”
After winning his first two starts, Scheelite has since finished fifth in the Vain Stakes (1100m) on August 19 and the McNeil Stakes (1200m) on September 2, both at Caulfield.
Scheelite’s last run saw the colt come from last, which prompted Keys to trial the three-year-old in blinkers, which the stable may keep up their sleeve for the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 14.
“His run was good last time,” Keys said.
“He got dragged back to second last, and he hit the line really well.
“We’ll have to go back again on Saturday, but I would guess the tempo will be a little less this time and hopefully there will be something to drag him into the race.
“We did trial him last week with blinkers, and they didn’t do much, so we’ve left them off, but we’ve still got them up our sleeve for the Guineas if we so need them.”
Win, lose or draw, Keys said there will be no altering of plans in going to the Guineas.
Keys won the Guineas Prelude with Rich Enuff in 2014 before running second in the Caulfield Guineas.
“It will be a good audition,” Keys said.
“We know what he is, and one run is not going to change the world, whatever happens.
“It won’t change our plans or whatever.”
Keys does not see too much change from Saturday’s race to the one he will meet in the Guineas in three weeks’ time, except for the possibly of a couple of Sydney three-year-old and maybe Griff.
“Saturday’s opposition is strong, and I think the obvious ones are all good horses,” Keys said.
“So, this will be the guide as to where we are.”
