High Five - Highborn

Course winner three starts ago, Highborn (4 m Savabeel - Tempo Manor, by General Nediym) delivered again in the $12,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 16 March at Matamata.

After leading home a Te Akau first four in a Maiden 1200 metres on 12 January, Highborn stepped up in grade with a good effort for second in a Rating 65 1200 metres on 11 February at Awapuni, and produced a notable fourth in a Rating 65 1200 metres on 26 February at Matamata.

Well ridden by Michael McNab, recording his second win on the programme, Highborn rated a top three prospect from barrier one and, following a cushy trip, she received a timely split to seal the deal.

“It was a nice ride by Michael (McNab) from a good gate and she ended up winning well,” said leading trainer Jamie Richards.

“She'd been running well from wide barriers in recent starts, whereas today she spent no petrol in the trail and peeled at the right time.

“She seems to have found her niche at 1200 metres, has speed through the dam sire General Nediym, and we'll have a chat to the owners and see what they want to do. She's by Savabeel, so she has residual value.

“The team at the Little Barn have done a good job with her. She's been up a while and done a bit of racing, but she is holding her condition, is enjoying it and looks bright. It's always satisfying when horses can keep performing as they get deeper into a preparation.”

Sponsored by Ralf's Regulars, Highborn ran 1200 metres in 1:10.1, last 600m in 35.8, on Dead4 footing and shortened in betting as race favourite to pay $2.70 & $1.40.

In training for Nelson & Meagan Schick (Windsor Park Stud), Robin Peel-Walker and Mark & Celia Wyborn, Highborn is by six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), from  General Nediym mare that won four times to 1300 metres in Australia. SHe was purchased by David Ellis CNZM, from draft of Westbury Stud, at 2019 Karaka Book 1 Sale.

“It's great to see her win again and to train another winner for this ownership group,” Ellis said. “They've raced Derby and Cup winners and put plenty into the racing industry.

“We've had a long association with the Schick family at Windsor Park Stud. We bought our most recent Karaka Million 2YO winning colt Dynastic (Almanzor), owned by our stallion syndicate, from them at Karaka, and also stakes' winner Festivity (I Am Invincible) for our Fillies' Breeding Syndicate.

“We also purchased Lot 74 Book 1, a Rip Van Winkle filly from Windsor Park and she was particularly good value.”

Highborn was strapped Rylee Sheehan.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz