The Canberra Acton Synthetic track hosted its first meeting of the 2025 season on Friday, and the Matt Kelley Racing team delivered an outstanding performance — finishing the day with two wins, two seconds, and a third placing from six runners. 🥇🥇🥈🥈🥉 The day began in perfect fashion with She’sadare, a $7,000 purchase who joined the stable in March. She settled just behind the speed in Race 1 before letting down strongly to score her second win for the stable. The victory lifted her earnings with the stable to $24,495 — a fantastic return in 10 weeks. In Race 2, Ana Carolina made it a winning double for the team. The daughter of Dundeel jumped cleanly, took up the lead, and was never headed — kicking clear in the straight to score by two lengths. Since joining the stable earlier this year, she has now posted two wins and two placings from just four starts, and looks to be an exciting mare to follow. Souk was next up in Race 3 and produced an honest performance. After he was narrowly run down in the final strides to finish second — a tough effort and a sign that a win is just around the corner. In Race 5, Xceptional Fella was slow to begin and gave away a significant head start, but his finishing burst was one of the day’s highlights. Charging through the field late, he just missed in a fast-finishing second and lost no admirers with the run. The stable’s day concluded in the TAB Federal with Prophet’s Pride, who also had to overcome a race shape that didn’t suit. After settling further back than usual, she launched a strong run down the outside to grab third, beaten less than a length. It was an encouraging effort from her as she races on for a new group of owners. All told, it was a highly successful return to Canberra’s synthetic surface, with intermittent rain making conditions tricky throughout the afternoon. The stable’s six runners delivered consistently strong results across the board — a testament to the team’s preparation and adaptability. Attention now turns to Bathurst on Monday, where the stable will send out two runners. Chebici lines up in the Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1800 metres, while Kotaishi resumes in the Benchmark 74 Handicap over 1400 metres. Both horses will be ridden by Coriah Keatings and head into their respective assignments in good order, as the team looks to carry momentum into the week ahead.

Promising filly Chebici continued her good form on Sunday, making it back-to-back wins by taking out the Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1610m) at the Sapphire Coast. Well rated by Coriah Keatings, Chebici settled last in running before producing a strong finish to claim the race in her first attempt at the mile. This preparation, Chebici has now had three starts for two wins and a second. The 3YO filly by Puissance De Lune (IRE) out of Jungle Fish has continued to improve this preparation and is now showing the potential the stable always believed was there. Raced by: Mrs N M Kelley, Mr W T Holdsworth, Mr A D Phillips, Mr B R Williams, Mr C T Newton, Mr D L Adams, Mr D J Snowden, Ms D J Blyton, Mrs I J Snowden, Mrs L S Venables, Mr M Witt, Mr M Lane, Mrs M S Johnson, Mr J M Schofield, Mr N Murphy, Mr P S Murphy, Miss S Adams, Mr T A Schofield, Mr A C Brooks, Mr W J Snowden. It was another consistent performance from Chebici and a rewarding result for her loyal group of owners, who have shown patience and support throughout her development. The stable continues a solid run of form in April and May, with more runners to step out in the coming weeks. 🎉 Congratulations to all connections.

Chebici broke her maiden in the Defence Force Cup – Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1460m) at Queanbeyan, arriving right on the line to claim victory at her second start this preparation. The 3YO filly by Puissance De Lune (IRE) out of Jungle Fish has returned a more furnished racehorse this time in. After a narrow second at Canberra earlier this month, she chased strongly through the line today and did just enough to grab victory in the final stride. She now holds a career record of 6:1-1-0 and continues to head in the right direction. Raced by: Mrs N M Kelley, Mr W T Holdsworth, Mr A D Phillips, Mr B R Williams, Mr C T Newton, Mr D L Adams, Mr D J Snowden, Ms D J Blyton, Mrs I J Snowden, Mrs L S Venables, Mr M Witt, Mr M Lane, Mrs M S Johnson, Mr J M Schofield, Mr N Murphy, Mr P S Murphy, Miss S Adams, Mr T A Schofield, Mr A C Brooks, and Mr W J Snowden. Earlier in the day, Macclesfield produced a solid effort to run 2nd in the 1000m Maiden, while Kotaishi followed up his Gundagai win with another 2nd placing in the 1600m Class 1 & Maiden Plate. Another good showing for the stable, which continues a consistent run throughout April. 🎉 Congratulations to all connections.

✌️ Back-to-Back Stable Doubles for Kelley Racing Kelley Racing capped off a big week with a second double—this time at Gundagai—making it four winners in five days, following Wednesday’s successes at Canberra with She’sadare and Xceptional Fella. Kotaishi kicked things off in Race 1, the Hahn 3.5 Maiden Plate over 1400m. The 4YO gelding by Snitzel bounced back from a narrow 0.03L defeat at Canberra last start, breaking through in style under Jeff Penza. A well-deserved win for a horse who’s been knocking on the door. Later in the day, stable debutant Ana Carolina lined up in the Ray Silburn Class 1 & Maiden Plate over 1800m. The 4YO mare was identified and purchased by Peter Lewis from the February Late Inglis Digital Sale for $15,000. She settled just off the speed and finished strongly, claiming the race and picking up $19,575 in prizemoney, including a BOBS Extra Bonus. Kotaishi raced by Mr E J Kelly, Mr P Lewis, Mrs R Lewis, Mr U Uelese, Mr S Uelese, Mr J Williams, Mr D V Kelly, Mr L B Rankin, Twist Tops, Mr P R Graf, Mrs K Graf, Mr R J Rowlands, Mr Z O'Collins, Mr L Tindale, and Mr M Atkinson. Ana Carolina raced by Peter & Rosemary Lewis. Congratulations to all owners and connections.

Kelley Racing struck form at Canberra on Wednesday, recording a stable quinella in Race 2 before landing a well-timed victory in the last with Xceptional Fella at double-figure odds. Race 2 saw She’sadare, a 5-year-old mare by Dissident, score a well-earned win at her second start for the stable. A $7,000 purchase from the Inglis Digital Late February Online Sale, She’sadare has already returned $14,000 to connections in just four weeks under the care of Matt Kelley. The win took her record to 8:1-3-1. Stablemate Chebici was eye-catching in second, launching from back in the field to secure the quinella. Following the race, trainer Matt Kelley gave a confident word to Sky Thoroughbred Central's Graeme White regarding his 3-year-old by Xtravagant (NZ), Xceptional Fella, who was yet to step out. Kelley’s confidence proved well placed. In the Riverview Group Handicap over 1300m, Xceptional Fella travelled smoothly and let down strongly in the straight to arrive in time and land the win at $11.

Aquatempo Wins! Right on the post! Recent $6,500 purchase from the late January Inglis Digital sale made a great debut for the stable, bringing home $19,575 in prizemoney. A big thank you to our dedicated team, owners, and supporters. Catch the post-race interview with Matthew and Jockey: Coriah Keatings after the win.

Maracaibo Sun stepped up from his maiden win at Canberra to take out Race 3 at Shoalhaven City Turf Club on Sunday, a Benchmark 66, leading all the way with a strong ride by Coriah Keatings . Two for two since joining the stable—looking forward to the rest of his preparation! Congratulations to all connections Mr E J Kelly, Mr D J Bottom, Marshdale Racing, Mr R J Rowlands, Mr P L Morrissey, Mr M C J Lane, Mrs L Cooper, Mr D V Kelly, Mr S N Wells, Mr D H Thorne, Mr A M C Pearson, and Mrs R Lewis.