Unknowns are the danger in 'Rocky' maiden heats

By Josh Spasaro

They might be making their racing debuts, but Gary Keep says opponents Cambla Blaze and Canya Wow Me should not be underestimated in the first Rockhampton Maiden 1000 Heat on Wednesday night.

The Burpengary – just north of Brisbane - trainer will have Mr. Unflappable making his fourth start against them from box eight in the race over 407 metres.

“There are a couple of dogs in there from strong kennels that are first starters,” Keep said.

“Canya Wow Me, Steven Scott’s dog, would be good in his first race. He’s got another runner (Deep State) in the second heat.

“And, Louise Cameron has Cambla Diva in the second heat (with Cambla Blaze in the first heat).

“You don’t know the whereabouts or the ability of either of those dogs, but I’d show a lot of respect for Steven Scott’s dog.”

Keep said the fact Scott had kept Canya Wow Me to make his debut in the Rockhampton Maiden 1000 series meant he could have some ability.

“You’ve got to show respect for the first starters because if they’re good they wouldn’t have started in a normal maiden, as they could’ve won that,” Keep said.

“I would say that at least Steven Scott has kept Canya Wow Me for this maiden because the Final is virtually worth three races in one.”

As for his own chaser, Keep said Mr. Unflappable has shown improvement in his three starts, highlighted by a runner-up finish last start over 366 metres at the Capalaba straight on October 8.

That was after finishing last on debut at that venue on August 24.

“His first start at Capalaba he missed the start terribly and he got beaten a long way,” Keep said.

“Then he ran quite a respectful race on the circle at Q1 (sixth over 390 metres on September 26).

“Even though he was beaten a long way, I was quite happy with his run. And, his last start was a big improvement at Capalaba.”

Keep said Mr. Unflappable was still learning how to be efficient out of the boxes.

“He’s not a fast beginner or a good beginner, so I don’t know where he’s going to be in the field,” he said.

“But, he’s going up there (to Rockhampton) because of the prizemoney on offer. It’s a rich race worth winning.

“He could stay down here and probably put together a couple of wins, but we’ve decided to go there.

“He’s owned in Rockhampton by Amber Boody and she’ll handle the dog for me on Wednesday night.”

Like his box manners, Keep said Mr. Unflappable had plenty to learn as a developing chaser.

“He’s been a bit of a slow developer. He was sent down to me by Amber Boody and he’d never raced up in that area,” he said.

“They (Amber and Michael Boody) just said ‘have a go with him and see what you think of him’.

“They sent another one down, Tusken Warrior, and I’ve won my past two with him at Q1.

"We’re trying to go through the same process with this dog.”

Mr. Unflappable is by Group 1-winner Aston Rupee and out of Michael Boody’s broodbitch, Love You Peaches.

Love You Peaches won 26 races from 67 starts and she is going well as a dam.

“She’s proving to be a pretty handy broodbitch. (Progeny) Bright Side has won four, Sing My Day has won four,” Keep said.

“She was a good bitch herself. She won in Brisbane.”

Meanwhile, Keep – who trains six greyhounds – is also getting good results as a conditioner.

“I won at the Q2 last Thursday night with Weblec Jewel,” he said.

“And, last Wednesday I won the Battlers Final at Capalaba with Crickle Owl Vic. I’ve won six races in the past three weeks.”