4 Oct 2009
Ultra-consistent Keeper filly, St Germaine, just missed out on Group 2 glory in a close finish in Saturday's New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Hawke's Bay Guineas.
Sitting back in the field St Germaine showed great turn of foot to take the lead in the home straight. Pipped at the post by a nose by Keyora, it was a great run by the 3 yr old filly who won the Group 3 Hawkes Bay Gold Trail Stakes a fortnight ago.
Alan Godsalve, who bred the filly with his sister Pat Barnett, said "she's a sensational filly who keeps on improving". While celebrating the 2nd placing with the other owners in the St Germaine Syndicate, it was bittersweet for Alan who in August lost St Germaine's dam, Selenium.
Sadly, Selenium, and her Keeper foal died during foaling. Selenium's 2003 filly by Keeper, the well performed Sequential is recovering from a tendon injury and Alan hopes she will make it back to the track.
St Germaine has raced just seven times with two Group 2 seconds, a Group 3 win and a third in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes.
Keeper stands at $12,000 plus GST.