Race favourite Chain of Fools made all the play in front, but when Glyn Schofield asked Higher Ground to challenge the race was all over very quickly.
He powered away, relishing his first try at a longer race to win by four
lengths.A $210,000 Magic Millions purchase for Debbie Kepitis' Woppitt Bloodstock from the Newhaven Park draft, Higher Ground is the first winner for Dark Vision, a winning daughter of Encosta de Lago from the family of Group I winners Bonneval, Champagne and St Reims.
Given his pedigree, once can't help but think Higher Ground is going to get a lot further as he matures, an opinion shared by his trainer Chris Waller.
"It's good for Debbie and Paul and all of their family, they put a lot into their horses," said Waller.
"He has a really bright future over middle distances and he's the right age to make the most of it."
With two wins, two placings and a fourth from just five starts in his first preparation, Higher Ground has already won nearly $75,000 in prizemoney and the best is yet to come.
Newhaven Park will present a terrific draft of 29 yearlings at the Gold Coast, click here to see them.
