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By Tony Megahey

Multiple TAB Highway winner and placegetter Danielle Seib - with three acceptors in Saturday’s episode at Royal Randwick and runners at Goulburn on Thursday - has given the strongest possible lead declaring only promising Kenichi for headquarters.

The young horsewoman, in the midst of her finest training period, had stablemates Denarau, Kenichi and Chaotic Beauty in at both meetings and after lengthy study of the form, made her decision.

Kenichi (Jean Van Overmeire) lands the major prize at Goulburn. Image by Bradley Photographers

Significantly Kenichi ($23 on TAB), first emergency at headquarters, was only assured of a run when Danielle scratched Denarau for Goulburn.

There the So You Think mare is favourite in the sixth event.

“Kenichi’s our only Highway runner, there’s only a few 1800m Highway races a season, so we took the opportunity with him,” Seib explained.

Dual winner Kenichi carries 55kg for in-form Jason Collett in the $120,000 Class 3 TAB Highway, 1800m.

“He’s promising, a big strong unit, needing to get out in distance and on the big track. It was the right race for him.

“Only lightly raced and three runs this time in, we’ve been intent on building him up for more ground.”

Kenichi was a strong winner in soft going at Wagga over 1300m and then third at 1600m at Sapphire Coast after winning his maiden in June over 1500m at Goulburn closing strongly as favourite.

Aside Danielle, a four-time Highway winner, was confident of the chances of Denarau in the Goulpro Hcp 1600m at Goulburn.

“She’s in her right race, she ran really well in a December Highway and has held her form with strong placings at a ‘mile’ Canberra at Nowra where she was a little unlucky.

“We’ve changed her gear a little but she's a mare that really struggles in hot weather, she really appreciates the cooler conditions.

“We’ve also claimed [Bejamin Osmond], she’ll be around the money at Goulburn.”

Saturday’s Highway is a support to a tremendous day of four Group races.

In recent seasons Danielle, building a substantial team, has formed a solid bond with Champion Thoroughbreds and John O’Shea.

Both Denarau and Kenichi were moved on by the profile trainer for suitable regional placement by Danielle.

The former schoolteacher took over training from her late father Lewis in 2019 who was training at Muswellbrook.

Then she moved to Goulburn with employment and also worked for a time with prolific Highway winner Danny Williams.

Seib came to prominence three seasons ago when the quaintly named Assault ‘N’ Bathory won her first Highway.

Danielle has trained 22 winners in the past 12 months at a productive 12% winning rate and 32% the place.

Meanwhile headquarters is rated a Good 4 but with showers around and more forecast including Saturday, a downgrade is likely.

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