Keast warms up for Diamonds Day with Invercargill win

By Jonny Turner 

Darren Keast insists there are plenty of people to thank for his recent success in the south.

Keast produced another southern victory when Luxmi toughed out a gritty maiden win in testing conditions at Winton on Thursday.

Though he’s a Cantabrian through and through, the trainer can call himself something of a Southlander given he now has an official training base at Ascot Park.

While he is on the ground in Southland and getting great results, Keast is quick to recognise those who are helping make it happen.

“I am just very lucky and fortunate to be in the position I am in.”

“I am lucky that my wife (Ashleigh) lets me come down here for three months of the year.”

“Not many women will let you go away with another woman like Tosana.”

“I have probably spent more time on the road with her in the last 12 months than I have at home with my wife.”

Keast’s grandparents, Paul and Pauline Renwick, own the majority of his team, including Luxmi.

The trainer was thrilled to again repay the faith they have in him.

“I am privileged to be in the position I am in with my grandfather sending me south and I am thankful that hopefully I am repaying him.”

Luxmi ran a strong fourth in her debut at Ascot Park early last month.

Keast had continued to work on the filly in the six weeks between runs and had her ready to score on Thursday.

“She has just had a few little wee niggles we have had to iron out along the way.”

“We were lucky enough today to come out on top.”

“This preparation hasn’t gone the way I wanted it to, but at least we got the win today.”

The southern harness racing season is set to peak with next weekend’s Diamonds Day meeting.

Keast plans to start at least two horses on the big day at Ascot Park.

“Tosana will be in a rating race and Surreal Moran will probably go in a rating race too unless he can squeeze into the Southern Supremacy Stakes.”

Keast’s Winton victory with Luxmi was his fourth of the year from just 11 starts.

All four of those victories have come from his new southern base.