Al Passem remains unbeaten with Bill Collins Handicap win

Al Passem
Unbeaten colt Al Passem (pink jacket) narrowly wins the Bill Collins Handicap at Caulfield over Redcore

THE lack of betting support for debut winner Al Passem was enough to put most punters off, but the quality two-year-old showed good fight in winning the Bill Collins Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Ken Keys-trained son of Al Maher was a winner on debut at Wangaratta, but despite looking impressive on that occasion, punters were able to secure $13 at Ladbrokes.com.au for the colt.

Keys, who had significant success with Rich Enuff in past seasons, couldn’t understand the lack of support.

“He wasn’t regarded by many at all,” Keys said. “He is a beauty, a real professional.”

Apprentice jockey Ben Thompson had to restrain Al Passem throughout the run to sit just behind the speed set by race favourite Easy Street. Four horses made their runs down the outside with Redcore looking to likely winner, but Al Passem fought back to win right on the line.

“We’ve always liked this colt,” Thompson said. “It’s an honour to win this race. He’s a really nice colt going forward, nice attitude and he has the looks.

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“He settled so nicely. It was a brand new frame up outside the leader, but to his credit he had every excuse to not hit the line, but he got the job done.”

Thompson and Keys both believe it will make a nice three-year-old after its preparation was initially stalled due to shin soreness.

“He’s come a long way this preparation. I’m really excited to see what he can do at three,” Thompson added.

“We had him ready pre-Christmas, he got a touch of shin soreness so we gave him a break,” Keys said.

“The fact he’s so professional, he could get to any level. He could stretch out a bit further.”

Keys could be eyeing up the $120,000 Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield on April 29, but will play it by ear.

“There is that stakes race in a couple of weeks, but we’ll certainly look forward to his three-year-old year.”

Redcore battled on well for second which franked the form of Estiraak which is currently $9 at CrownBet for the Group 1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

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