Time Keeper (NZ) rewarded the patient of his connections with a determined victory in the LR Manawatu Anzac 1600 at Awapuni on Wednesday.

Time Keeper (5h Stravinsky – Organdy by Our Emblem) flew the gates for jockey Harry Kasim and then held out late closer Capone to win by half-a-neck.  It was his first win in almost two years!

Trained by Graeme Nicholson, Time Keeper had won his maiden at Awapuni as a summer three year-old in January 2010.  He came of age later that season with a hat-trick consisting of the G3 Manawatu Classic, G1 Easter Handicap and G3NZ Bloodstock Stakes.

A cracked bone in his hoof sustained in the third win at Te Rapa meant four months rest in the paddock followed by a long run of outs that finally ended on Anzac Day.

Time Keeper’s return to form is indeed a timely one for his Nicholson who only recently retired people’s champion Sir Slick.  He will now head to the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup on May 19 before spelling in readiness for the Hawke’s Bay’s Triple Crown in the spring.

Time Keeper was purchased from The Oaks Stud at NZ Bloodstock’s 2008 Carnival Yearling Sale for $65,000.  Nicholson races the gelding with Frances Crimmins and he has won six races plus $350,000 in prizemoney.

Capone (Al Akbar) was game in defeat.  He was purchased by Upstage Bloodstock from Long Acres Stud for $16,000 at the 2008 NZB South Island 2YO Sale.  He continued that Sale’s run of form following Inferno (Yamanin Vital) who won the G3 Canterbury Gold Cup on Saturday.