High Dee happy to roam free

Janet Melvin says High Dee is in fantastic form ahead of tomorrow’s Catholic Schools Cup.

Max Fleet

HORSE RACING: Alloway horse trainer Janet Melvin believes a bit of fresh air is the perfect fuel for High Dee’s fire.

Used to being cooped up in a Brisbane stable, High Dee now roams free in the Melvin’s paddock and could not be happier.

“She just gets to be a horse,” Mrs Melvin said.

“And I think a happy horse runs better.”

High Dee is one of just two Bundaberg charges entered in the Open Handicap at tomorrow’s Catholic Schools Race Day, with King Demonic the other entry to feature.

It, too, is from the Melvin stables, but its trainer is not holding such grand hopes for the chestnut gelding.

The pocket rocket, High Dee, however, is in the form of its life.

“It couldn’t be any better at the moment. She’s looking fantastic,” Melvin said.

Mounting the reborn Alloway flyer will be Kayla Cross, a jockey who knows the Melvin’s brightest prospect all too well. The hoop has been on top of High Dee for three of its wins, including its most recent in Gladstone late last month.

With Mary Hassam’s Suntanned out of the picture, cooling its heels in semi-retirement, Sunshine Coast gelding Frisco’s in Charge has emerged as one of the favourites for the $4000 first prize.

Its recent form includes a win at Eagle Farm and a third on the Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago.

The 1380 metres will be a hard slog on the Thabeban Park sand but with three wins, four seconds and three thirds over the distance, Frisco’s is well equipped.

Allan Gooden-trained Flying Squaw will be another to watch, after impressive recent form.

In 18 starts over the distance, the Eidsvold mare has recorded nine podium finishes.

The five-race program includes 39 horses, one less than last year’s Catholic Schools Race Day.

The forecast is for gusty showers today and late-afternoon showers tomorrow, meaning rain is unlikely to spoil the party this time around.