Latest News

By Tony Megahey

While incessant rain and heavy going is a massive deterrent for leading TAB Highway contenders, they hold no fears for Goulburn trainer and former schoolteacher Danielle Seib with strongly fancied stablemates King of Spades and Almahero into Royal Randwick on Saturday.

As track conditions deteriorate with more rain forecast, impressive last start series winner Smooth Esprit is highly unlikely.

King of Spades (Jackson Searle) heads to the barriers at Goulburn. Image by Bradley Photographers

However, Danielle’s duo is proven in the going for the  $100,000, 1600m, Class 3 episode on another fabulous day of Group racing at headquarters.

In just her fifth training season since taking over a small team from her father Lewis, tragically a cancer victim, Danielle has increased her team to 20. And winners are regular enough.

King of Spades ($5.50 favourite on TAB), a brave Highway second last start to Smooth Esprit on a Good 4, and first-up Goulburn winner Almahero ($7.50) have won five races between them and numerous placings. Vitally on heavy.

Meanwhile, Danielle gave up teaching in the Southern Highlands, finding balancing training exhaustive. And in her most productive season yet, both geldings are consistent money spinners.

“They're going terrific, so consistent, if I had a preference King of Spades has the exposed Highway form with that second to Smooth Esprit, who is a smart horse,” Danielle explained.

“He’s won on the worst side of heavy. While Almahero gets through it, not sure the worst range, but he has the upside of successive wins.

“So, form in the conditions, top jockeys and drawn well. All in our favour in a hard race.  Usually big fields in Highways so we use the draws and go forward.”

Danielle and her jockeys are well aware the inside was largely a “slow lane” last meeting. At present the Highway has 18 starters and five emergencies.

King of Spades with 56kg for Tommy Berry on Saturday, hit the front late with Willie Pike before Smooth Esprit burst through on a firm track.

Almahero, who led to win 1600m on a Heavy 8 at Orange last prep and resumed with a strong win at Goulburn, has 55.5kg for Jason Collett.

As conditions deteriorate there will be a major betting reshuffle including dominant last start series winner Smooth Esprit ($8.50).

“Heavy and we stay home - Kerrin (McEvoy) told us he was useless in it last time,” his trainer Clint Lundholm emphasised.

“He’s bred to sprint being by Bel Esprit, and they handle rain-affected but this gelding does neither.

“You might have the opposition covered but the weather beats you every time. With the same weight and out to a more favourable 1600m would have been just lovely - that’s the way it goes.”

At present headquarters is a Heavy 10 with heavy rain and more showers forecast.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here