The $900,000 Snitzel colt Highness is off to the Gold Coast for the $3,000,000 Magic Millions 2yo Classic following a dynamic performance in Wednesday’s $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong 2yo Classic (RL) (1200m).
Ridden by Tommy Berry for Michael Freedman, Highness tracked the leader Spywire, who looked to have the race safely in his keeping at the 200m. Highness put in the big bounds over the final 100m and went past Spywire so quickly it seemed to startle Tyler Schiller.
It was the second start for Highness, who was appearing for the first time since finishing sixth in the Group III Breeders Plate at Randwick in September.
“He’s such a laid-back character, and I was a bit worried about how disinterested he looked,” Freedman said.
“Tommy had to give him one around the backside to wake him up.
“I think he has a really good future. I loved his run in the Breeders’ Plate, where he did not have a great deal of luck.
“He is still a bit showy in condition and he is still learning to be a racehorse. I think he did that today on raw ability so if he comes through it OK, we have a ticket to the Gold Coast, so fingers crossed.
“I hear they ran good time, which is a good indication for young two-year-olds. Even though it was a small field it might be a good form race.
“We are four weeks away (from the 2yo classic), so I think he will have a trial. He does not need to go to the races again.”
Bred by Owen Egan, Ron Hamer, and Mick Johnston, Highness was a $900,000 purchase for James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Eight years ago, Capitalist carried the same colours to win this race before adding the Magic Millions 2yo Classic and the Golden Slipper.
“It’s very exciting,” Harron said.
“He showed great tenacity and cruised to the line.
“We want these horses to be laid back and not do too much at home and he has that attitude.
“When Tommy got going on him, he responded. He paraded super, and hats off to Tommy, he gave him a great ride, and this is the importance of having him doing the early work on the horse; he knew what he had. Two hundred metres out, I thought he was going to run a good second.”
Highness is the best of three winners from four to race for the unraced Northern Meteor mare Diana’s Star.
A half-sister to 5-time Group 1 winner and Horse Of The Year, Dissident, Diana’s Star has a yearling colt by So You Think, in the Segenhoe draft heading to Inglis Easter and a colt foal by Maurice (JPN).
Highness is the 139th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s champion stallion Snitzel.
