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By Ray Hickson

It was a throwaway line from Coriah Keatings as she discussed the chances of Good Prize going on his winning way at Rosehill on Saturday that it may be a goat that’s seemingly turned his fortunes around.

Coriah Keatings and Good Prize (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The four-year-old has sprung to life with six wins from eight starts since his trainer Gratz Vella somewhat reluctantly paired him up with a nannie called Maple and he’ll chase his fifth win on end in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1800m).

Keatings, who has ridden the gelding to his past two wins, was commenting that Vella had done such a great job with Good Prize and suspects it’s all because of little Maple.

“He is a challenging horse, he’s got this little goat that he lives with which is a funny story,’’ Keatings said.

“I think ever since that goat has gone into his stable is when he started to improve. He’s got quite a character and it’s good to see him stepping up and keep offering.”

Vella elaborated on the Maple tale.

He said the goat was originally a companion of stablemate Chop The Ice but Vella had noticed their relationship had soured, the horse would chase the goat around and try to bite her, so he decided to separate them.

Good Prize was the beneficiary and it seems they get on like a house on fire, with his enhanced racing record the proof.

“Ever since the goat has been there he’s changed his attitude,’’ Vella said.

“I’m very happy with him. While he’s nice and fit, and it’s a wet track, we might as well chase the big money.”

The 24-year-old Keatings, currently apprenticed to Nick Olive, said the impression she gets from her two wins on Good Prize, $10 with TAB on Thursday, is that he’s very much enjoying life at present.

He’s won four on end over 1600m with the latest up to benchmark 72 level at Warwick Farm on May 21 and while he is up in grade again she says she has every reason to be confident.

“He’s an interesting horse, I’ve only got on him the last two starts but he just gives me a really good feeling. He keeps improving and stepping up to the plate,’’ she said.

“I still think he is doing it quite easy, he hasn’t got to the bottom of him yet.

“He puts them away quite easily, and toys with them a little at the end.

“It’ll be interesting to see him get challenged on Saturday and see what he can offer under a bit more pressure.”

The gelding has drawn awkwardly but Keatings said she sees enough early speed to hopefully be able to put him in a striking position once again.

“He seems to race quite tractably and from that barrier it’s not ideal but on the heavy track I think we will find a nice spot in the run, and we might be in the right spot for the end of the day,’’ she said.

My Last Hooray will be on the back up after running sixth in last week’s TAB Highway at Randwick and Keatings said, while she wasn’t on board that day, there was a heap of merit in the effort.

Frank Cleary’s consistent three-year-old sat wide and held on to be beaten under three lengths by A Pound Of Salt and she said the 1500m of Saturday’s Highway should suit.

“I was watching his run quite eagerly, I thought he ran enormous,’’ she said.

“He had no luck, he was a bit hard done by from the barriers sitting three wide and did a lot of work early. When I rode him he was looking to get over further ground so I think 1500m is going to suit him.

“Drawing a bit softer, he probably finds himself with a bit of cover just stalking the speed. I think he has a nice turn of foot so it’ll be exciting to see if he can back up after last week’s effort.”

Good Prize wins at Warwick Farm on May 21

There’s still about 18 months remaining of Keatings’ apprenticeship and she said now she’s outridden her country claim she’d like to focus a lot more on provincial and potentially city racing, especially in the winter months.

“Winter is a great time for the apprentices to get a go and use our claim in the city,’’ she said.

“I’ve gone along slowly, I’ve still got about a year and a half left so whatever I can get from now on I’ll be taking with two hands.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting