Group One win felt around the world
AN UPSET win in Melton last Saturday night not only sent a shockwave through local punters, it was felt on the other side of the world.
Cursed by most gamblers due to her victory as a $41 outsider, Keayang Kurki was being celebrated 13,500 kilometres away!
Trained by Finnish-born horseman Antti Ruokonen, the two-year-old trotter was triumphant in a Vicbred Super Series Final, with the trainer's family and friends enjoying the moment via telecast.
"I've had a lot of family members and friends from back home call to congratulate me," Ruokonen said. "They're all pretty excited.
"None more so than my mother's side of the family as the filly is named after my grandmother, Katriina Kurki, who used to drive when she was younger.
"Both my mother's parents have a harness racing background, while my Grandpa on my father's side, Jorma Ruokonen, is still training and even driving in races in his 80s.
"My parents also had a training stable when I was younger."
Spending a stint in Australia during 2018, Ruokonen then continued his international travels before returning 'Down Under' in 2022, where he eventually settled in Terang with the famed Lee family.
That led to Ruokonen part-owning and training Keayang Kurki, which scored upon debut in Bendigo last April.
"When I broke her in I knew she was fast and thought she would be handy, but she has just improved so much," Ruokonen said. "She then ran second in the Nutrien Final before not having much luck in her next two runs, including the Vicbred heat when she finished fifth.
"I changed a few things after the heat and felt she would run a good race in the Final."
Beginning brilliantly to lead from barrier seven, Keayang Kurki was then eased by Jason Lee to take a trail behind the favourite, Gatesys Gem.
Angled into the sprint lane during the latter stages, the daughter of Royalty For Life dashed to a six-and-a-half metre win from Miss Ohana.
Sky Flair was a metre away third in 1:59.7 over 2240 metres.
"I gave her a good chance, but in that first lap she was pulling because she got revved up from the two false starts, so I was getting concerned," Ruokonen said. "Then on the last turn I started to think she might be home.
"To get my first big win is unbelievable and probably one of the best nights at the races in my life."
