Keatley looking forward to start of Flat Like many Flat trainers, particularly those based on the Curragh, the opening day of the turf season at Headquarters on March 20, is now to the forefront of the mind and Adrian Keatley is no different. Keatley only took his licence out in 2014, but received a great grounding as assistant trainer to Oliver McKiernan for six years. After that he spent a couple of years in Australia learning more about Flat horses. Recently moved to a new yard, Keatley has created a good impression with his runners and showcased his talents to a wider audience with three winners over the two days of the July meeting at Ayr. "I have loads of them in mind (for the Curragh) but it's a matter of getting them there now," said Keatley. "I have a few two-year-olds that I'm trying to wind up for it, and hopefully I'll get one of them there anyway. "There's a So You Think colt called Cosy Club and a nice Bushranger colt. "There's a couple of nice fillies there too, but whether they'll go or not I don't know." Aside from the juveniles, Keatley has others earmarked for action soon, adding: "I have a nice Big Bad Bob three-year-old called Bob Mor that I'm hoping might be ready for the second race that day - the three-year-old maiden. "Then there is Jet Setting, a nice filly that was third in a Listed race in November. She could go for a maiden in Cork a few days later." Keatley certainly isn't concerned if the unsettled weather continues, reasoning: "Otherwise the top-of-the-ground horses go faster. At this time of year I'm hoping to have my horses a bit fitter. "You'd be hoping the horses I have that are able for the ground would have the advantage over the finer-bred types that I can't afford to be buying at the sales. "We're having to compete against powerful yards like my neighbour, Mr (Dermot) Weld, and of course Aidan O'Brien has huge numbers of top horses too. What we're coming up against is pretty savage."
