Ace High was to the fore at Avondale’s trials on Tuesday, with a pair of representatives of the Rich Hill Stud resident winning their respective heats.
A homebred and sold colt by the High Chaparral stallion with Byerley Park horsewoman Jenna Mahoney settled off the pace in his 800m juvenile heat before rounding runners near the home bend.
Under gentle riding from Sam Spratt, he lengthened stride stylishly down the outside to reel in his rivals to win going away by a length and three-quarters.
“He was quite impressive and he’s finished off like that in his jump-outs as well,” Mahoney said. “He’s a cool horse and I’m sure he’ll be winning races.
“He’s always showed ability since we broke him in and there’s been a few calls and interest in him.
“He’s the only Ace High I’ve got, but I definitely want some more of them.”
The colt was purchased by Mahoney out of Rich Hill’s draft at Karaka for $30,000 and is a son of the Pentire mare Kiara, an unraced sister to the multiple Group One winner and two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year Mufhasa.
Matamata trainer Glenn Old produced his daughter of Ace High to also score in her first trial outing over 800m.
She showed good gate speed to dispute the pace on the fence and wasn’t pressured by rider Jasmine Fawcett to claim her heat by a head.
The filly was a $41,000 purchase at Karaka where she was offered by Hallmark Stud and is out of the Stravinsky mare Babington, who was successful on four occasions and the family of Group One winner Saint Cecile.
