Roll On High enters Thousand Guineas reckoning
Roll On High (Shamus Award) propelled herself into the picture for the Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) at Caulfield on November 18 when she landed yesterday’s Desirable Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Flemington.
Having only the fourth start of her career, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained filly ran on strongly down the centre of the track under Billy Egan to lead inside the final 100 metres, before holding off the persistent challenge of Joliestar (Zoustar) by three-quarters of a length. The Gary Portelli-trained Kimochi (Brave Smash) finished a further two lengths behind in third place.
Unraced as a juvenile, Roll On High finished second on her first two starts in September, before impressively breaking her maiden at Pakenham on October 20, leading her connections to nominate her for the Thousand Guineas – and she more than vindicated that bold decision with her performance yesterday.
“It was a beautiful ride. He rode a nice patient race on her, got cover. He waited and waited,” Coleman said. “He was twitching to ask her to go and she was travelling so nicely underneath him but he just timed it to perfection and she’s been able to finish the race off so strongly.
“If she pulls up well then she’s probably earned her spot there [the Thousand Guineas].”
Raced by Slade Bloodstock, Roll On High (3 f ex All Highs On Me by High Chaparral) is out of the unraced High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells) mare All Highs On Me, herself a three-quarter-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Monaco Consul (High Chaparral).
Roll On High’s half-sister by Yulong’s exciting first-season sire Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice) was bought by G Canny for $8,500 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale earlier in the year. Earlier this season, Roll On High produced a filly by fellow Yulong sire Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa).
In winning yesterday’s race, Roll On High became the 24th individual stakes winner for her Rosemont Stud-based sire, Shamus Award, who is currently standing for a fee of $60,500 (inc GST).