Canterbury junior driver Darren Keast’s night went from disappointment, to absolute joy.
Happy to have 2 drives at “headquarters”, Keast was looking forward to his drive in the junior drivers only race, behind the Jamie Gameson trained Sauchiehall.
That’s where the disappointment began.
Standing perfectly at the tapes the first time, another runner Shelly Ann started playing up causing a significant delay. With that runner sent to the unruly, the restart was all set to go when Sauchiehall dug her heels in and refused to move. After another delay, the 4yo mare was declared a late scratching by stewards and Keast was on his way back to the stables.
“It was disappointing because when they let the tapes go to send me back to the stables, she actually stepped away off her mark. I definitely felt she was a top 4 chance in that field” said Darren.
With his next drive, Saramon starting directly after the junior driver’s race, Keast was quick to regroup and focus on his upcoming assignment.
Saramon a 4yo Gotta Go Cullen gelding trained by Yaldhurst trainer Leonne Jones drew nicely in barrier 3 and with his good gate speed was up contesting the early pace with Lucky Three (Henderson Hunter).
With a lead time under 23 seconds, they certainly were humming.
“I was quite happy to lead the entire race, but we were running early and I was confident my fella could get up the passing lane at the business end”
“We only walked home, but he’s pretty tough and stuck his head out at the right time. He actually won a penalty free invited drivers race a couple of months back so it was just a matter of time before he won a maiden” said Keast.
Leased by Ms H Westrum, P J Cusdin, D I O’Neill, B J Slagter, W Thompson and N G Pugh, Saramon was having his 10th race day start and 2nd win for trainer Leonne Jones from just the 5 starts.
“I’d like to thank all the owners, including my step mum Henrietta Westrum for sticking by me and allowing me to drive him, hopefully he can continue on his success and they can have some more fun with him”
With his first winner coming behind the Nigel McGrath trained Jeanie Pops at Addington back in September 2015, tonight’s win doubles Darren’s career numbers. In his first year of Junior Driving, from 26 drives, he has managed 2 winners and a 3rd.
“It’s great to get another winner, seeing the joy and excitement it brings to owners is well worth it”
Andrew Fitzgerald