Highbury has always shown potential, especially in rain-affected going, and he’ll be well in frame at Tuesday’s strong feature meeting. But seemingly standing in his way is a talented two-year-old filly also on a second-up show for a new trainer.
Well-bred La Girl came off two spring runs in Victoria for the Hayes-Hayes-Dabernig team, and then a long break, returning with a strong effort on heavy ground at the Kensington track in her first run for the Kris Lees stable at Newcastle.
She too looks well placed in these conditions down on the 54.5kg limit weight, and it’s hard to see one of the two not winning this Taree tussle.
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Meanwhile, promising three-year-old Lees-trained stablemate Star Raider makes his long-awaited return to the track as a gelding in a BM 58 Hcp over 1000m after a false start on Monday when the Cessnock meeting was called off.
A dominant winner on debut last spring, Star Raider has been well prepared through two impressive trials, including a win over long-time group star Le Romain, and looks one of the better bets on the card.
Tips supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au