Keystone Del closing in on a million

Keystone Del has moved within $13,000 of joining an elite group of hrness racing trotting millionaire stake earners after tonight’s E.B. Cochran Trotters Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton.

The eight-year-old gelding dominated a small but select field of squaregaiters to rate 1:59.2 for the 2240-metre trip – well outside his own personal best and track record of 1:56 flat.

His next success will see him join Lyell Creek ($2.2m), I Can Doosit ($1.3m), Sundons Gift ($1.2m), Take A Moment ($1.1m), Stent and One Over Kenny ($1.0m) on the all-time Australasian trotters’ earners list.

“He’ll get there,” said winning reinsman Anthony Butt after tonight’s win.

“He felt terrific tonight. He had to run given the way the race panned out.”

Keystone Del trotted casually to the front early, crossing in-form polemarker Illawong Helios with Sun Of Anarchy slotting in three back on the pegs.

The order didn’t change for the remainder of the journey as Keystone Del reeled off comfortable splits of 31.2, 30.9, 29.6 and 27.3.

RE-LIVE KEYSTONE DEL'S E B COCHRAN TROTTERS CUP WIN

Illawong Helios, who is racing in super form for Ross and Greg Sugars, finished 5.9m behind Keystone Del, with Sun Of Anarchy holding off a challenge from stablemate Our Twentyten to hold third a further 10.4m away.

The Yonkers International Trot remains a potential assignment for Keystone Del, who is a 33-time winner from 46 career starts.

Cody Winnell (HRV Media/Communications Manager)