All Stand wins Highway Handicap

The green and black colours carried to Group One glory by Court’s In Session have made a return to the winner’s circle at Randwick with All Stand’s victory in the Highway Handicap.

Although Saturday’s race for country-trained horses is a far cry from the heady days of Court’s In Session’s stellar career, owner Peter Cruickshank is happy to have stock good enough to bring to town.

Cruickshank bred All Stand and sent him to the sale ring but he failed a veterinary examination so he decided to keep him and sent him to Todd Howlett at Muswellbrook.

Ridden by apprentice Jean Van Overmeire, All Stand was sent out the $3.70 favourite based on his close second last start to Victorem who is being touted as a future star.

Van Overmeire let Our Dasha ($9) take over in front but knew what he had underneath him and strode clear in the straight.

He held off Remittance ($9) by 1-3/4 lengths with Acquittal ($6) another half neck third.

“I was surprised the other horse was able to lead us but it Jean rode him well,” Howlett said.

“All Stand us a free-running type of horse and the jockey’s doing a good job too.”

Howlett said he was not sure where the next step for All Stand would be.

“I think 1100 metres sees him out so races like the Country Championship over 1400 will be beyond him,” he said.

For Cruickshank, the return to Randwick brought back memories.

“Court’s In Session lives on my farm,” he said.

“He is in pristine order and looks a million dollars. He’s 19 now.

“He was retired because he hurt himself so he can’t be ridden but he is enjoying life.”

Trained by the late Guy Walter, Court’s In Session won the 2005 Group One George Ryder Stakes and was placed in the Chipping Norton Stakes and Doncaster Handicap that year.

Cruickshank’s hopes of a Randwick double were dashed when Olympic Academy finished out of a place in a later race on the program.