Bendigo-based jockey John Keating secured a winning double at Saturday's Benalla meeting, pairing with Shaq and Lola de Oro to take riding honours.
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The consistent Savabeel 3YO Shaq broke his maiden after a string of promising runs for new stable, Busuttin Racing of Cranbourne.
Ridden positively from the gate, Keating settled the gelding in a forward position to run down the leader in the straight.
"I had a close association with the horse in his early days at Sutton Grange, so it was great to be able to pair up with him again and pleased to make the most of the opportunity Trent (Busuttin) and Natalie (Young) provided me with,’’ Keating said after Shaq’s win.
It was a more nail-biting affair in the last, with chestnut mare Lola de Oro taking a last-to-first run in the straight to overcome her rivals at 15-1 for Seymour-based Merilyn Anderson.