Craig Williams and Craig Newitt shared a plane to Launceston and split the first prizemoney when the judge could not separate Keats and Indispensable in the Listed Steve's Liquor Hellova Street Stakes (1600m).
Williams positioned the Gavin Bedggood-trained Keats camped on the speed before moving smoothly to the lead before the home turn. The son of Galileo looked to have set up a winning lead before Newitt swept down the outside on the John Blacker-trained Indispensable to share the prize.
First Accused was crowded for room before finishing a close-up third.
Both Bedggood and Blacker were philosophical about the result.
"He was given a good ride, through the cat among the pigeons early and first up from a freshen up at a mile, he was brave," Bedggood said.
"We have the option to go to Adelaide or the Albury Cup; we will see how he pulls up."
Blacker thought he had run second.
"When they went past the post, I thought he was beaten a nose," Blacker admitted.
"So, I will take a dead heat with Gavin's horse, although another stride, we get it outright."
The 7yo Gailieo gelding Keats (IRE)won a Listed race in Ireland for Aidan O'Brien, and it was also the second black-type win for the Akeed Mofeed gelding Indispensable after the Listed Conquering Stakes on December 13.
A three-quarter brother to Churchill (IRE) and Cheveley Park Stakes winner Clemmie (IRE), Keats (IRE) advances his record to eight six four from 41 starts with earnings of $615,446.
Purchased out of the Ballydole Stables by Armando Duarte / Ballymore Stables Australia / Paul Moroney Bloodstock for 200,000gns, at the 2020 Autumn Horses In Training Sale, Keats was a $25,000 buy on Inglis Digital in August 22.
A homebred for M J Fiteni & Ms K M Stewart, Indispensable advances his record to ten wins, 13 second, and six thirds from 50 starts with earnings of $522,680.
He is the best of two winners from four to race for the Fastnet Rock mare Essence.who placed in the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks.
