Caulfield win puts Highvol back on victory trail
Nick Ryan, the trainer, may eye a Queensland venture for Highvol after the gelding notched a triumphant return at Caulfield.
The gelding Highvol hadn't tasted success since his opening two triumphs as a juvenile until he captured the Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (1600m) on Saturday.
Jamie Mott kept Highvol ($16) prominent at the front end all the way, lunging to a head victory on the line ahead of Tarntanya ($18) and Himalayan ($5.50) in third.
As a two-year-old, Highvol secured the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, prompting Ryan to schedule a Brisbane winter push for the horse.
Sadly, illness struck Highvol, scuttling those northern plans, so Ryan shifted to a spring schedule.
Securing a fast-closing fourth in the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley, Ryan aimed the three-year-old at the Victoria Derby next.
"He had a frustrating spring," Ryan said.
"He ran super in the Stutt second-up, flying home, against these types of horses.
"He then almost won a Geelong Classic, and we pushed on to the Derby, but it flattened him a lot and I was very mindful of that and hence we didn't rush him back for the autumn.
"I went and looked at him and said to the owners to give him some more time because he was quite tired after the Derby.
"He was second-up today. They went very slow last time, and he's no good off a slow tempo, and when they sprinted, they left him flat-footed."
Post his Sandown first-up performance last month, Ryan explained ramping up the workload for Highvol to handle the solid 1600m test.
"I said to Motty that I had screwed him down between runs and he's at his best free rolling off a fast tempo and that's what that was," Ryan said.
"It was a bit of a dogfight late and he's good in the soft, so there was a lot of positives.
"He's a handy horse and he won his first two and we had plans to go to Queensland, but he got crook.
"He ticks the wet-track box, and he makes his own luck, so a trip to Queensland, anything is possible."
Find competitive racing betting markets for the Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap.
More Racing News
Struggling Stayers Cup for Centenario
While a minor placing in midweek company might not seem like the most auspicious form reference for the Stayers Cup, Adrian Bott is optimistic that Centenario's inherent improvement and fitness will allow him to make the transition.The former New Zealand galloper finished third over 2400 metres on the Kensington track...
Tuileries readied for Tattersall's Tiara assault
Peter Snowden opted to modify Tuileries' preparation for the Tattersall's Tiara due to the recent rainfall in Brisbane, yet he remains assured it will not diminish her chances.The four-year-old filly was scheduled to contest the Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) two weeks prior but was withdrawn due to the heavy track...
Hickman banking on Future History for Cup success
The primary winter objective for Future History has been the Tattersall's Cup, and if the gelding secures victory, a start in the Melbourne Cup will become a tangible goal.This eight-year-old, who competed in Australia's most celebrated race back in 2023, has been running with considerable spirit this season. He achieved...
Touristic poised for resurgence in the W J McKell Cup
Peter Snowden is confident that Touristic is in good health and expects the gelding to perform strongly at Rosehill, despite a disappointing performance last start.The ten-year-old will be competing in his tenth start of the preparation when he lines up for Saturday's W J McKell Cup (2000m), having begun his...
Miracle Spin in line for Caulfield hat-trick, says trainer Bobbin
Andrew Bobbin's judgment on Miracle Spin looks particularly sharp now, though he admits there were moments he felt far from clever.The Stawell trainer even contemplated if Miracle Spin would endure a second preparation with him following a barren three-start spring campaign, which concluded with a distant last in the Penshurst...
Dylan Gibbons' career still developing
For Dylan Gibbons, a steadfast commitment to consistency has been paramount this season, a philosophy he intends to carry forward.The pinnacle of any jockey's aspiration is to capture Group 1 races. Should he succeed in winning the final major event of the 2025-26 racing term aboard Infancy in the Tattersall's...
Bazaball Rewarded set for Caulfield return
Kelvin Southey is content with his decision to withhold Bazaball Rewarded from city racing until the current campaign, and he is pleased she is now being given the opportunity to demonstrate her class.The four-year-old mare's three starts this year have all taken place at Caulfield, resulting in victories either side...
Portelli's Runner Numbers Depend on Rosehill Track Conditions
Gary Portelli's team at Rosehill could be significantly reduced this weekend, with the trainer indicating that many of his horses will be scratched if the predicted rain arrives and impacts the track surface.Portelli is set to have six runners on Saturday, including the lightly raced three-year-old Performance. However, her participation...
God's Window the focus for Chris Waller in W J McKell Cup
Chris Waller's stable is pinning its hopes on God's Window for the W J McKell Cup at Rosehill, as Rotagilla is expected to race in Queensland.Rotagilla has remained in Brisbane since its third-place finish at Eagle Farm earlier this month, and Waller's assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, has indicated the horse...
Alex Rae hopeful I'm Foxing can extend his winning run
Cranbourne trainer Alex Rae is aware that his remarkable winning streak will eventually cease, but he's optimistic that the horse responsible for initiating it can contribute to its continuation for a bit longer.I'm Foxing is slated to compete for her third successive triumph this Saturday in the $150,000 MRC Membership...