The Listed SAJC Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday was won in commanding fashion by progressive Fastnet Rock three year-old Game Keeper.
Gelded at the end of his juvenile season, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy trained Game Keeper has always shown ability but it has taken him a while to become a racehorse.
With easy wins at his past two starts at Morphettville and Gawler, Game Keeper was full of confidence coming into this Black Type contest and stormed home for John Allen to win by three lengths running away.
“His owners have had to show a lot of patience as he’s a talented horse, but has been the source of some frustration,” said Tony McEvoy.
“I thought enough of him to run him in the Blue Diamond as a two year-old, but he’s had some issues, so we gelded him and now he’s really starting to hit his straps. He was super impressive today.
“There’s not a lot around for him at the moment, although we might back him up next Saturday in the RA Lee Stakes against the older horses and then look towards the spring.”
A $175,000 Magic Millions purchase for McEvoy Mitchell Racing from the Coolmore draft, Game Keeper is the best of four winners from multiple Group II winning filly My Tusker, a grand-daughter of champion New Zealand mare Horlicks, whose family has produced Group I stars Brew, Fiumicino and Sacred Elixir.
Foaled and raised at Coolmore for his breeder Dr Denis O’Brien, Game Keeper has won four of nine starts earning over $134,000 and is also a half-brother to the dam of Group I BRC Queensland Derby winner Mr Quickie, so it’s likely Game Keeper will get a lot further as his career unfolds now that he’s got his mind on the job.
My Tusker was on-sold at the 2018 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale for just $15,000 and was covered by Grunt last spring.
Game Keeper is the 157th stakes-winner worldwide for champion sire Fastnet Rock, whose fee this year at Coolmore has been set at $165,000.
