After breaking a 26 run of outs stretching back to June 2018 at his previous start at Terang, Inn Keeper made it two on the trot in the Listed Wangoom Hcp (1200m) at Warrnambool on Wednesday.
Under a perfectly timed ride by Dean Holland, the 7yo son of Host (CHI) defeated the Ambidexter gelding Dexelation by a length with the 6yo Encosta de Lago gelding Simply Optimistic a neck back in third.
Inn Keeper, who was third in the Wangoom last year, advances his record to nine four five from 35 starts with earnings of $463,665 following his first stakes success.
It was a second Wangoom for both trainer Symon Wilde and rider Dean Holland.
“The family bred the mare out of a good horse we had, so it’s a great thrill,” Wilde said.
“We thought he was a horse that could win at Wangoom. I think he was favourite in the race two or three years ago.
“He had a good last campaign without winning. He has been forgotten a bit being a seven-year-old, but he is lightly raced.
“He did not start racing until he was nearly four, but I always thought he was the right horse for this race. I can’t believe he has done it so late in his career.”
Inn Keeper is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the talented racemare Petit Cadeau who was pensioned earlier this year.
The daughter of Kingston Mill (USA) won four races, including one at Sandown.
The final foal of Petit Cadeau is a 2yo colt by Keep The Faith.
In Keeper becomes the eighth stakes-winner for Eduardo's sire Host (CHI). The son of Hussonet (USA) died in January last year.
