Moruya trainer Colbey Hill will have her first TAB Highway Handicap runner at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday in an 1800-metre event with filly Rosaruby.
The Casino Prince three-year-old has turned the corner this preparation having excelled over the longer distances.
Her last-start win at Kembla Grange on Saturday over 2000 metres demanded that her trainer backs her up this weekend.
“She’s pulled up very well from Kembla and it’s rare to have a Highway race over 1800 metres so I’ve decided to throw her in,” Hill said.
“It was a last minute decision to send her here; it wasn’t mapped out at all. She’s just going too well not to send her there and she’s ready to go.
“She’s had a super preparation and even in some of her placings she’s been unlucky. Everything has been spot on with her.”
Hill said Saturday’s race, in which there are 14 horses nominated, will likely be Rosaruby’s last this preparation having started six runs ago in March and the mare having only been unplaced once.
Hill, who currently has five horses in work, said the step back to 1800 metres was not ideal but drew confidence from the fact she’s got a rock-hard fit horse that handles all track surfaces.
“She’s bred for the trip and she’s matured more and now just wants to be a racehorse. All she wants to do is win. She’s not blessed with stacks of ability but she’s very honest and is all heart,” she said.
The final fields for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting, including the Listed $100,000 Civic Stakes (1350m), will be available after 9am on Wednesday.
– Racing NSW
