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By Tony Megahey

For Brett Robb, Saturday’s Rosehill Gardens TAB Highway will determine how far speedster Bean Hot (heavily supported from $15 into $7.50 on TAB) can take it for bigger occasions but this is also a raceday with heart-felt emotion.

“His owner-breeder Val Wray is near 90, she was my babysitter at Nyngan, she’s family, a cracker, loves a beer and a bet, wanted to come but too much risk,” Brett explained, striving for his first Highway success.

Bean Hot scores for Clayton Gallagher at Coonamble. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

“She lost her husband a few years ago - five generation breeders.

“Amazing, had horses with my dad (Rodney) since before I was born. She’s the only one who said I was a decent kid!” Brett chuckled.

“Marvel, knows her horses, they keep her going strong - she told me this fella would make a good horse.”

Bean Hot looks the goods.

Natural speed with three wins from eight starts, the latest at Coonamble over 1100m in smart time as Brett tests him up in grade with 55kg for Lee Magorrian in a TAB $100,000 Class 3, 1200m.

“Hot a Highway as it gets, but never die wondering. We all want a Country Championships horse and he’s progressing that way,” added Brett who relocated to Dubbo from Nyngan after many years as foreman for his dad Rodney, a regional racing institution.

“This gelding had a lot of time off, back and pelvis issues, but Val said time and patience and we’ll get a good horse.

“So, we spelled him for a long while. He came back free in action and took his trackwork to the races.

“Look, tough race but he’s improved, you can only win, so who knows? He’s got the speed to put himself in the race, he’s won at 1300m, so stamina won’t be an issue.

“For that level of prizemoney while he’s eligible, it’s worth the travel to find out.”

Brett has moved from Nyngan training with his dad to Dubbo with decent numbers.

“I always wanted to go it alone. Kody Nestor was kind enough to offer me boxes at Dubbo.

“Out at Nyngan it meant a couple of hours extra travel for race meetings, vets, etcetera, so I’m set up here with some nice horses.

“This is my best. Everybody wants a Championships horse, I’m not over the top there and Saturday will tell us more.

“But I know I’ve got a smart one and I don’t think he’s reached his limit yet.”

In one of the most wide-open Highways, Ice in Vancouver is the $5 favourite ahead of Ceasefire ($5.50).

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Rosehill Gardens here