One of Australia’s premier sprint races is expected to be the next target for the ever honest Hightail after he landed the AUD125,000 G3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) over the weekend. The triumph was the second stakes win for the three-year-old who is assembling a career record of some repute. Hightail can attest to career earnings of almost AUD800,000 from only 14 starts including five wins and a further five placings and is deserving of a tilt at G1 company.
That tilt could come on 6th June in the AUD1,500,000 G1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). The Stradbroke Handicap has a history of drawing competitive fields. Off the back of his most recent win, Hightail should have earned his place in the field with a modest weight and be competitive against quality opposition. And while he will be making his G1 debut the gelding has tackled quality opposition in his career to date, most notably in back-to-back Magic Millions assaults in 2019 and 2020 at the Gold Coast.
The tight Queensland circuit has been a venue where the rugged gelding has nearly pulled off big results in the AUD2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the AUD2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. As a juvenile he flashed home to finish third. A year on and he again roared to the line for an eye catching fourth. At his third attempt at the Gold Coast that trade mark acceleration was on display again as Hightail surged late to land the prize.
“They went very quick in front and [Hightail] really found the line in the final 100m,” jockey Ryan Maloney said post-race.
“I got to [runner-up] The Odyssey at about the 200m but he just kept giving and my bloke had to find plenty.
“Hightail was probably a pair closer than I wanted but he travelled beautifully and I think there is a good race in him up here.”
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