Having achieved her black-type ambitions at Doomben this preparation, Highly Geared now faces a Randwick assignment that may convince connections to prolong her career.
The seven-year-old sprinter has an opportunity to press those claims when she runs in Saturday’s July Sprint (1100m).
“The owners will think about it but they might have a bit more fun and wait until next season,” trainer Gary Kirkup said.
The Canberra trainer began working with Highly Geared when she was an unraced four-year-old after she languished in a paddock during what should have been her formative years on the track.
“I don’t know the full story but someone just didn’t have the money so we got a few in a cheap package, and she was one of them,” Kirkup said.
Highly Geared subsequently developed into a reliable performer over short distances, and after 32 starts she finally stepped up to Listed company during the Queensland winter carnival.
“We got her placed in a Listed race. That was our aim, to get her some black-type,” Kirkup said.
She was runner-up to The Virginian in the Chief De Beers (1050m) in May but was wide throughout before finishing 12th in the Lightning Stakes in early June.
Highly Geared bounced back from that disappointment when third behind Calanda and Sir Plush at Rosehill three weeks ago.
“She boxed on really well. She gave a lot of cheek and it took a couple of good ones to get her on the line,” Kirkup said.
“Calanda won the Ramornie Quality next start. Sir Plush is also going well so the form is there for her to run well again.”
