Jean Dubois has to set the bar higher for Mate Story after he mastered a Highway Handicap field for the second time at Randwick.
The four-year-old gelding supplied the Goulburn-based trainer’s first metropolitan winner a fortnight ago when winning a 1500m Highway Plate at Rosehill, and he handled the step up in trip with ease on Saturday.
Mate Story dominated the 1800m journey from the outset and kicked clear in the straight to win by 1-1/2 lengths clear from Fui San ($4.40), who held off Royal Villa ($10) by a nose.
Starting the $3.50 favourite despite a betting drift, Mate Story was never in danger before he recorded the fourth win of his 11-start career.
“He’s in super form. I thought the journey could be a bit too long for him, but he was even better than last time,” Dubois said.
The Frenchman was unsure what shaped as the next assignment for the stand out among his small team at Woodpark Stud in the NSW southern highlands.
“Now it will be more complicated, I have no idea,” he said.
Jockey Jean Van Overmeire at least suggested Mate Story take on tougher company over 1800m before any attempt to step up in trip.
