Dubbo Feature In Charmaine's Keeping?

CHARMAINE Roberts will certainly have her hands full at Dubbo on Thursday.

In addition to overseeing the meeting in her position as acting club secretary, the prolific local owner/trainer/breeder will unleash a two-pronged assault on the lucrative Ladbrokes Super Series Final (400m).

Roberts has two finalists in the rich $7500 to-the-winner Super Series decider in Gabby Keeping (box 3) and Ruphert Keeping (box 8), both members of the exceptional July '18 Black Magic Opal – Milly Keeping litter, bred by Roberts.

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Both improved their impressive early career strike rates in last Thursday's heats.

Ruphert Keeping gave Roberts a pleasant surprise when he came out running and led most of the way in 22.97s, his fifth win from nine starts, while Gabby Keeping was also dominant on-speed, clocking 23.06s to boost her record to seven from 13.

Gabby Keeping has now won four of her last five starts, dropping back in distance after three recent victories over 520m at Bathurst (2) and 516m at Dubbo.

"I think they're both in with good chances," Roberts said.

"I actually thought Gabby Keeping might have gone a bit quicker last week but in saying that I was still happy with her run.

"She's been winning over 500m but I think anywhere up to 450m is probably her distance.

"Ruphert pulled a rabbit out of the hat last week! He'd usually come out ten behind them so I don't where he pulled that from, jumping in front.

"He'll probably never do that again so I'd say Gabby Keeping is our best chance for sure but it's a good race. Paul Braddon's dog (She's A Gem) will be hard to beat but she's draw the squeeze."

If either Gabby Keeping or Ruphert Keeping takes out the Super Series Final it will continue the remarkable early success of the first litter produced by Roberts' 2016 WA Oaks winner Milly Keeping.

The litter also features Gina Keeping, which has won 6 from 7 for Jason Magri, the most recent a best of night 400m success at Bulli last weekend, Hope Keeping, also trained by Roberts, the winner of 5 from 7, Sienna Keeping (3 from 6) and Lady Keeping (2 from 2).

"Gina is going super," said Roberts.

"I do think that most of the litter are better off boxed wide, but not so much Gabby. The only time Gina has been beaten she was odds on off box one and walked out.

"This is Milly Keeping's first litter and she's also had litters by SH Avatar (February '19) and My Redeemer (January '20)."