Trainer Rob Heathcote is hoping for a genuine staying test when arch rivals Volkhere and Hi Son clash at Doomben on Saturday.
Hi Son and Volkhere will be meeting for the fourth time this season having run the quinella at their previous three encounters.
Volkhere leads Hi Son two wins to one but the latter gets the chance to square the ledger in the Canadian Club Open Handicap (2000m).
Heathcote and Hi Son’s trainer Tony Gollan agree the rivalry between the two gallopers has been a highlight of early-season racing in Brisbane.
“It really has been good for racing here and has created plenty of interest,” Heathcote said.
“There has been a war between them and both seem to be racing very well.
“A few people were critical because my rider (apprentice Brigid Grylls) moved off the fence and let Hi Son up inside us when he beat us last time.
“But I think her mistake was not making it a genuine staying test. They got home the last 600-metres in 34.5 seconds. It suited Hi Son.
“I think my bloke is a better stayer but Hi Son has a better turn of foot.”
Heathcote will be instructing Grylls to ensure the race is run at a genuine tempo on Saturday.
Gollan is also excited ahead of Saturday’s clash.
“Hi Son has done well since his last win and I am keen for him to string a few wins together. I can then have a look at where we will go in the long term,” he said.
Gollan warned Hi Son’s stablemate Trakstar could be a wildcard in Saturday’s race.
The horse has been unlucky in shorter races at his past three starts.
“I have not been disappointed with his efforts of late but the way they have been running 1600-metre races at Doomben haven’t suited him and I think the longer trip will suit,” Gollan said.
“I have always thought he would make a good middle-distance horse.”
Trakstar hit the running rail when he finished sixth at Eagle Farm three starts back and has been unsuited by slow tempos at his subsequent two runs.
