Group 1 Roll Continues For Karreman

 
29 Nov 2007

Queensland owner Dick Karreman's group one roll continued when
Keepa Cruisin (NZ) (Keeper x Just Cruising by Broad Reach) won the $240,000 Levin Classic (1600m) for 3-year-olds at Otaki on Thursday, reports NZTM.


It was Karreman's third group one win for the season after the wins of
Seachange (NZ) (Cape Cross) in the first two legs of the Hawke's Bay Spring Triple Crown and it's been a case of keeping it in the family.















   
KEEPA-CRUISIN-RI-500



Keepa Cruisin (NZ) and Leith Innes cruising to victory in the Gr.1 First Sovereign Trust Levin Stakes (1600m).


 
Trainer: Stephen McKee


 
Breeder: Karreman Bloodstock Ltd


 
Owner: Karreman Bloodstock Ltd


   
Photo: Race Images



Keepa Cruisin (NZ) is a half-sister to
Seachange
(NZ), who has been the star mare in New Zealand for the past few seasons.


The win also marked an important milestone for the exciting Cambridge Stud sire
Keeper (AUS) (Danehill), who achieved his second Gr.1 success following
Insouciant's (NZ) win in the New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.


Since commencing stud duties in 2002,
Keeper (AUS) has produced 5 stakes winners and has amassed a winners-to-runners ratio of 53.6 per cent.



Keepa Cruisin (NZ) had only won one of her previous nine starts but had a succession of placings in top company.


She was twice second to the promising filly
Lovetrista (NZ) (Rock Of Gibraltar) and filled a similar placing behind
Insouciant (NZ) (Keeper) in the Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 10.



Keepa Cruisin's trainer Stephen McKee said that race probably improved the horse.


"
That was her first run at a mile (1600m) and being a hard run it probably brought her on for this."


McKee said
Keepa Cruisin (NZ) would probably be restricted to races no further than 1600m unless racing against her own sex.


"
Probably a mile will be her best distance. She could go further against other fillies but essentially she's probably a miler."


To date,
Keepa Cruisin's (NZ) dam
Just Cruising (NZ) has produced five foals to race for five winners. 


Black-type performers by the dam include the multiple Gr.1 winner,
Seachange (NZ), and the Gr.1 ARC Easter Hcp runner-up
Korau Road (NZ) (Cape Cross).



Just Cruising (AUS) returned to
Cape Cross (IRE) last season, and has recently produced a full-sister to
Seachange (NZ), which is likely to be retained by Karreman Bloodstock.


In keeping with the stud's policy of putting
Just Cruising (AUS) to Danzig line sires, she will visit the exciting freshman sire
Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill) this season.