The five year old son of Untouchable gave his trainer Theo Kieser, who was granted his trainer's licence in 2009, his maiden feature race win and one of the fondest memories of his career.
"This is very special for me and is definitely going up on the wall so that I can remember this moment every time I walk into my office," said Kieser, who brought home a winning double after saddling newcomer Black Mamba (2g Written Tycoon x Dipping) for a debut win in a 2YO race earlier in the day's programme.
Ridden for the first time by jockey Soo Khoon Beng, Goal Keeper displayed all
his fighting qualities as he stubbornly hung on
to win the 1200 metre sprint by a neck."He's been such a good, honest horse for me and he's won 10 races before this but never a Group race so even if this is a Group 3, I'm just so happy for him," he said.
A regular name that has featured in some of the biggest sprint events here in recent years, Goal Keeper has competed in the past two editions of the $1 million KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m).
Despite his last trip to the winner's circle occurring almost a year ago, the bay galloper has been a reliable moneyspinner, only finishing unplaced five times from his 26 previous outings.
By adding a first "black-type" crown to his resume, Goal Keeper has now chalked up around $835,000 in stakes earnings for owner Sam Chee Kiong.
Goal Keeper was a $44,000 purchase from the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale and is the second stakes-winner for his sire Untouchable, who started his stud career with Darley before disappearing into oblivion.
Goal Keeper is the best of three winners from My Cousin Rachel, who comes from the family of former star sprinter Gold Edition.
