Ken Keys has been waiting decades for a horse like Rich Enuff.
And on Sunday the colt rocketed to Caulfield Guineas favouritism with a brilliant 2-1/2-length win in the Group Two Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
Cranbourne-based Keys has been training since the mid-1980s and says Rich Enuff is the best horse he has had by a long way.
Rich Enuff – Caulfield Guineas Prelude 2014
The colt, who was bred by Keys’ wife Louise, backed up his dominant Mitchell McKenzie Stakes and Danehill Stakes wins with an even more impressive display on Sunday at his first try over 1400m.
He is now clear favourite at $3.50 for the Caulfield Guineas as Keys strives to win his first Group One.
“You are never confident in racing. But it’s pretty hard not to like what you just saw,” Keys said.
“I really don’t know what to say. What you saw is real.
“I think he’s still not there yet as a race horse. He’s still a big baby.”
Keys, who also won the Listed feature at Sandown on Saturday with Like a Carousel, is convinced Rich Enuff will run a strong 1600m in the Guineas.
Rich Enuff ($3.70) did some work from a wide barrier to eventually sit outside the leader and then shortly after straightening he left his rivals behind as sprinted clear.
Looks Like the Cat ran home nicely for second and is on the second line of Guineas betting with Stutt Stakes winner Almalad.
Awesome Rock came in 2-1/4 lengths away third.
“That was breathtaking,” jockey Michael Rodd said.
“It was great to see him do that today and the next two weeks will be a bit on edge to make sure we get him there (to the Caulfield Guineas).”
Rodd likened Rich Enuff’s turn of foot to former star Whobegotyou who he partnered to win the 2008 Caulfield Guineas.
“They are different in the fact of their racing pattern, but have a similar turn of foot,” he said.
“He’s got that awesome turn of foot and that’s what you need to win big Group One races.”
Rich Enuff’s time of 1:23.49 was more than a second quicker than Afleet Esprit ran the 1400 metres to win the Thousand Guineas Prelude for fillies.
