From NZ Thoroughbred MarketingTriple Group One winner Keep the Peace (NZ) (Keeper) came off a 136 day spell to produce a fine display in winning an Open Catch-weight trial at Cambridge in New Zealand earlier this week and is en route to feature in mares races throughout Melbourne's Spring Carnival.Produced in spritely condition for the trial by trainer Shaune Ritchie, the 2010 New Zealand Oaks winner made light of the slow footing on offer and recorded by far the quickest time (1:12.21) of the s

From NZ Thoroughbred Marketing

Triple Group One winner Keep the Peace (NZ) (Keeper) came off a 136 day spell to produce a fine display in winning an Open Catch-weight trial at Cambridge in New Zealand earlier this week and is en route to feature in mares races throughout Melbourne's Spring Carnival.

Produced in spritely condition for the trial by trainer Shaune Ritchie, the 2010 New Zealand Oaks winner made light of the slow footing on offer and recorded by far the quickest time (1:12.21) of the six heats over 1200-metres.

"She is going to go to Melbourne", Ritchie said after the impressive trials success. "She will race there on September 3 in the Group Two Let's Elope stakes over 1400-metres. It will suit a New Zealand stakes-winning filly because the penalties go on prize money won and it is transferred into Australian dollars, so she gets in on a very good weight of 56.5kgs on a 53 minimum.

"This was her second public appearance this preparation, following a track gallop at Ruakaka. She was a little fresh, but that was to be expected, and that will just top her off nicely looking ahead to Flemington.

"She has been purchased by Breeders - SF Bloodstock - so, I have to keep her racing well or she might end up in the breeding barn", Ritchie said. "She had a reasonably soft trial. I was very keen not to take the speed off her for next week. She was effective on this sort of programme last year and we've done exactly the same as we had when winning the Mudgway first-up last year."

Keep the Peace is scheduled to fly to Melbourne on Wednesday and will be accompanied by stablemate, My Scotsgrey (NZ) (Golan), who will also be seen at Flemington on September 3 in an Open Handicap over 2000-metres.