Keep The Dane hit punters in the hip-pocket at Gosford on Friday but the long-shot victory didn’t surprise owner-trainer Bob Holloway.

“I couldn’t believe the price,” Holloway said on Saturday morning.  “My wife Julie got $41.”

The first-starter by Greta West Stud sire Keep The Faith scored by three lengths in the Woodport Inn Plate (1000m).  “It was a good field, don’t worry about that,” Holloway continued.  “He got to the front and was a class above them.”

Keep The Dane (2g Keep The Faith – Danish Puss by Tale of the Cat) had shown plenty of ability in two trials earlier this year.  “In the first hit-out, he was runner-up to Magic Topaze and that horse was the favourite in yesterday’s race,” Holloway explained.  “And in the second trial, he was placed behind Scratch Me Lucky who came out and was Group 1 placed in the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick.”

Hong Kong agents wasted no time asking after Keep The Dane.  “We got four calls but he’s not for sale at the prices quoted,” Holloway declared.  “I’m 70 and just a hobby trainer these days.  I’m just happy we’ve got a nice horse.

The winner is the first foal of Danish Puss who doubled up in Adelaide as a late-season three year-old.  “I got him through Jamie Lovett of Australian Bloodstock – he’s a mate from our football club,” Holloway added.  “We put a syndicate together – Jamie, Dave Trigg, Darren Butcher and their wives are also in him.

“I’ve never had one as clean-winded as this bloke.  He had every right to feel the pinch yesterday but would not have blown out a candle.  We give him a few days off in a paddock every week and that seems to works well.”

Keep The Faith (Sunday Silence) will stand for a $4,400 (inc gst) service fee at Greta West Stud this year.