Keano Back In Familiar Territory (January 20 2010)

WS-bred sprinter Keano has enjoyed a stopover at the Matamata farm on his way to Trentham for a crack at the $1 million Telegraph Handicap. Trainer Danny O'Brien said the son of Pins had travelled well and leading rider Leith Innes has been booked for the Gr 1 feature.

"We think it's do-able. He arrived at Waikato Stud on Monday and we'll float him down on Thursday night. There's a couple of New Zealand connections and he's very well bred so a Gr 1 would look great on his CV."

Purchased by O'Brien out of WS's 2007 Sydney Easter Yearling draft for $A450,000, he is out of champion stallion O'Reilly's half-sister O'Really (Centaine). WS, who have retained an ownership interest in Keano, will offer his half-brother by Fast 'N' Famous at the Sydney Easter Sale this year.

The five-year-old has five wins from his 14 appearances, including the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm. He was also Gr 3 placed in the Healy Stakes during the Brisbane winter carnival.

Keano won at Flemington over 1000 metres two runs back and was then seventh in the Gr 3 Standish Handicap on New Year's Day. "He missed the start by four lengths and they went slow up front that day," O'Brien said.