Highland Son overdue for an away win

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Stuart Kendrick believes it’s time his talented Highland Son delivered away from home when the five-year-old tackles the Class 5 Handicap at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Highland Son has turned the Sunshine Coast into a fortress with all his five wins recorded on his home track.

However, his “away” form is far less impressive as he is still a maiden in 10 attempts.

The son of Bel Esprit will be chasing a hat-trick of wins when he lines up for start number 24 on Wednesday.

The gelding's best performance in five Eagle Farm starts was a second in a 1200 metre Class 2 in September, 2020.

Highland Son beat one runner home at his last Eagle Farm appearance in a 1200 metre Benchmark 70 race in the middle of March.

He then relished a return to his home track winning a 1000 metre Benchmark 68 race on March 26 before a commanding win over the Trevor Miller-trained Belistic Man in a 1000 metre Class 5 at the Sunshine Coast on April 23.

“He doesn’t seem to like Doomben for some reason but he’s been unlucky in town on a couple of occasions when he got shuffled back,” Kendrick said.

“He was unlucky not to win at Eagle Farm one day early in his career and he needs to come wide.

“The big straight at Eagle Farm should suit him like it does at the Sunshine Coast.

“The key with him is to let him find his feet as he doesn’t like going between runners so he needs to come wide.

“I think he’s capable of winning a nice Saturday race down the track.”

Highland Son will be ridden by James Orman on Wednesday.

He has been the pilot in his last two victories. 

Highland Son will clash with stable mate Carribean King on Wednesday.

Carribean King was only beaten just over three lengths in a 1200 metre Benchmark race on his home track on April 23.

“He had no luck at all last time when he was held up but his Ipswich run when he ran fourth the previous start was very good,” Kendrick said.

“He’s got some ability and both of mine have good chances.”

Kendrick has seven starters lining up at Eagle Farm and rates Bulloo his next best.

Bulloo tackles the Benchmark 75 Handicap over 1400 metres and was a close up eighth behind the Chris Waller-trained Ultimate Pride over 1600 metres at Eagle Farm on April 15.

“She can be a hard horse to ride but if she does everything right, she should run very well,” he said.

“She should have won two starts back at Doomben but had no luck at all and she’s more than capable of winning a race like this."