The countdown to the Kosciuszko will begin to ramp up in the coming weeks and trainer Mitchell Beer unveils two of his hopefuls at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Albury horseman will start lightly-raced filly Well In Sight in the Highway Handicap (1100m) and Hardware Lane in the Bisley Workwear Handicap (1100m), both out to showcase their wares for the rich feature.
Well In Sight resumes after she followed a hattrick of wins at Albury with an unplaced effort in the Inglis Sprint at Flemington in March.
She has trialled well in preparation and Beer has her forward enough to give Saturday’s race a shake.
“I’ve gone to a few of these Highways first-up before with too much improvement to come and you’re well found because there is no rest for the wicked up there in the short course races,” Beer said.
“These Highways between now and the Kosciuszko, they’re going to be very hot.
“The good, lightly-raced sprinters are back and between now and September, they will be trying to prove themselves and get a spot in the Kosciusko. That’s what these horses are also there to do.”
Well In Sight’s journey has been an interesting one.
Fetching $170,000 as a yearling, she trialled twice for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace but when the pandemic struck, her owner decided to send his horses back to his homeland of China.
“There were about 10 of them and they all went to New Zealand but then she couldn’t get on a flight from New Zealand to China, so they all went on (auction site) Gavelhouse unreserved,” Beer said.
“I paid $19,000 for her then flew her back here and the rest is history.”
Hardware Lane has won two of his past three starts, both on heavy tracks, and Beer is banking on the forecast rain arriving in time for his race.
“He had a rough start to the preparation. He injured himself on the way to the races and was scratched and then we ran him in a race that wasn’t ideal, he was a short-priced favourite and got beat,” Beer said.
“Normally when things start badly, they’re hard to stop and turn around, but he has just progressed.”
Hardware Lane is at $8, while Well In Sight is a $7.50 chance for the Highway Handicap.