Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary is keen to win a $25,000 staying event on Goulburn Cup day later this month with High Density.
With the November 18 race in mind, Cleary has elected to back up the four-year-old gelding by Carnegie in the Hypercet Printing Hcp (2130m) at Goulburn on Saturday.
High Density was an unlucky last-start length second to the promising Tim Donnelly-trained Traded over 2130m at Goulburn last Sunday.
“The Goulburn Cup day race (Benchmark 65 over 2300m) is the one we’re after,” Cleary said.
“I don’t think he’s had enough miles in his legs to be at his top.
“He’s pulled up a treat after Goulburn, that’s why I’m backing him up quickly.
“On paper Saturday looks an easy kill for him. The prizemoney helps too.”
High Density has a strong rugby league link, being raced by Penrith star Brett Izzard and his family.
Cleary and Izzard have been footy mates since their days as juniors at Queanbeyan and later with the Canberra Raiders.
“We won an under-17 premiership together,” Cleary said.
High Density, bred by Izzard, was purchased for $30,000 and syndicated.
“Typical of the breed we believe his best is still ahead of him,” Izzard said.
“He’s still developing.
“We think he can make a good stayer next year, a decent country Cups-type horse.”
As a three-year-old High Density contested the AJC Australian Derby, finishing down the track to Shamrocker.
“It was a big ask, we knew he could stay and while he got beaten it was a wonderful experience for all the boys having a Derby runner,” Cleary said.
The lightly-raced gelding has a win and five seconds from 14 starts with his sole success coming at Canberra over 2000m before the Derby.
High Density got held up at a vital stage last start before working to the line strongly over the final 300m.
“The horse is well. With even luck he should be right in the finish on Saturday,” Cleary said.
Willie Pearson has the mount.
AAP TURF
