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With the countdown on until ticket sales close next Wednesday for this year's $2 million The Kosciuszko, the continued uptick in results for Goulburn-trained horses is ideally timed.
A quick glance at results for the previous racing season reveals Goulburn trainers won 16 Highway Handicaps!
Tash Burleigh (5), Danielle Seib (4), Matthew Dale (3), Scott Collings (3) and Danny Williams (1) all found winning 'Highway' form northbound on the Hume.
Tash Burleigh somehow continues to fly under the radar when it comes to these conversations but her record over the past 12 months is crackerjack.
The stable has won five Highway Handicaps in 12 months with Burleigh voicing 'Kozzie confidence' in three of her charges.
"We were hoping Pokerjack ($51), despite his latest runs, might get a look in. Racing upside down has been disappointing, but we know he has the ability," Burleigh mused about his most recent runs.
"He's won three Highways and had a few placings at metropolitan and provincial level. He is a speedy contestant and the 1200m is a suitable distance.
"Tulla Park has had a bonza prep, been racing very consistently in higher country benchmark races. His last run at Kembla, which was a win over 1200m, was a super effort.
"He ran good time and a Kosciuszko wouldn't be out of the question for him. He is well seasoned, freshened up and ready to go!"
Burleigh also tagged Iron Will ($51) as a less experienced but high on potential type who's right in the mix.
"Iron Will ... a serious lightly raced contender. He has a good record to date. Winning his first two starts and having a win (at Randwick) and a placing in another Highway under his belt. The six furlongs (1200m) is a strong point for him."
Scott Collings and Mogo Magic need no introduction, the gelding announcing his presence in this year's Kossie conversation thanks to a sublime 5-0 record to date.
Collings was spot on with his assessment in June saying: "Mentally I think the horse has got better, he knows what it's all about now."
Everything he's shown in two wins this campaign confirms that opinion. Mogo Magic's $6 quote (TAB) in pre-post markets affirms the gallopers' all eyes on me profile right now.
Collings also has Ten Bells ($51) up and running should a The Kosciuszko opportunity present itself, the Goulburn trainer indicating earlier this campaign she's on a slow burn this time in.
"I think she's a bit older now and it probably takes her a run or two to wind back into it," he said.
Danielle Seib had a breakout season in 2022/23 winning four Highway Handicaps along the way. She's been stacking the stable with new and proven bloodstock out Goulburn way and delivering consistent results.
She really believes Smokeshow ($51) has the form and genes to measure up in a race like The Kosciuszko.
"She's a five-year-old bay mare by Winning Rupert out of a stakes-winning American mare. She's lightly raced with a great record of 10:3-0-3 and over $100 000 in prizemoney," Seib highlighted.
The mare set down a marker for Kosciuszko contention in January when winning a TAB Highway over 1100m at Randwick, Iron Will (4th) franking that form as a subsequent winner.
Seib also referenced Smokeshow's top five effort behind Passegiata in the summer, clocking the quickest last 600m of the meeting (7/1/23), in 33.30 on a Soft 7 surface. Seib is super pleased with how the mare's preparation is shaping up.
"Nice return at Warwick Farm this preparation, finishing just over two lengths behind two subsequent city winners in Sweet Baby Boom and Xtravagant Star (the 2022 Millenium winner)," Seib referenced.
"She has genuine benchmark and city form for a progressive country galloper who's versatile on all surfaces and she contests the 1200m Highway at Randwick this Saturday."
Matthew Dale is no stranger to the 'quick set' opportunity that comes via a 'Kosciuszko call up'. Dale prepared Cavalier Charles for a top four result in the 2022 edition of the race.
He's back with more potential weaponry this year in the shape of 2022 The Kosciuszko winner Front Page ($6), Cavalier Charles ($26) and Molly Nails ($51), all three on the renowned horseman's 'look at me' Kosciuszko list.
In a recent interview with Racing NSW Dale indicated it's all systems go with Front Page as the stable beds him in.
"He's a very likely selected Kosciuszko horse, as usually those top five in the market are. It's a privilege to get him to train and we're looking forward it," Dale said.
Cavalier Charles hasn't raced since March and went to the paddock in the right frame of mind after a smart city win over the summer and a placing in the National Sprint at Canberra. The gelding looked super sharp in a cobweb clearing trial at Warwick Farm this morning.
Molly Nails resumed from a year off at Rosehill recently behind the low flying Smashing Eagle and no more commentary needed ... just watch the replay to see how well she went! - WATCH HERE (back last on the fence with colours - purple, yellow band, lime sleeves & yellow cap)
Evergreen Danny Williams reclaimed the Goulburn premiership in 2022/23 and can set and prep a horse with his eyes closed. Williams has recent stable acquisition and former Country Championships finalist Wizard of Oz ($101) flying in two Highway Handicap runs since resuming.
Williams tweeting his liking for the "strong but impeded first-up 4th at Randwick." Iron Will ($8.50 on TAB for Saturday), Wizard Of Oz ($7) and Smokeshow ($13) will carry saddlecloths one, two and three in this Saturday's TAB Highway Handicap at Royal Randwick.
Tickets for this year's $2 million The Kosciuszko are on sale up until midnight on Wednesday 6th September -
