Promising three-year-old High On Believing has a long way to go to graduate to the Magic Millions Guineas in January but that’s the goal for trainer John Wallace.
High On Believing broke through for an impressive maiden victory at his fifth start at Eagle Farm last month and faces a steep class rise in the Homestead Tavern Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Wallace has a big opinion of High On Believing, whose mother Ugachaka was trained by Lee Freedman for most of her career, winning twice at Group Two level in the 2001 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington and Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Rosehill the following year.
High On Believing was bought by Graham and Linda Huddy for $220,000 at the Magic Millions yearling sales last year.
The Huddys also raced the Wallace-trained Shoot Out who won last year’s Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Group One AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.
Shoot Out hasn’t raced since the Brisbane winter carnival and Wallace is unsure of his immediate future.
Wallace found the key to High On Believing with a significant gear change following his third in a maiden at Eagle Farm in September.
“He hung in badly that day and should have won so I took the winkers off him when he won last start,” Wallace said.
“Instead of winkers he raced with one near side winker and a bubble cheeker, which stops him from laying in.
“I think he’s a good horse and he’s improving at a great rate.
“Eventually he’ll get 1600 metres but in the meantime I’d like to think he can make enough improvement to get into the Magic Millions Guineas.”
The $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 14.
Wallace won’t tie Larry Cassidy down to any specific instructions on Saturday but hinted he may change tactics.
“We might ride him a bit different this time but I’ll leave it up to Larry,” Wallace said.
“Last time we rode him back in the field but I’d like to see him up a bit closer in this.
“This race is a big step up in class but he’s got the ability.”
AAP TURF
