BC Internationals: Turf contender Highland Reel

Highland Reel was a useful juvenile who became a globetrotting success at three, but as trainer Aidan O’Brien had predicted, he’s even better at four. Boasting the best current formlines in the field, and the historically key angle for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), he figures to be tough to beat.

My Highland Reel scouting report for last year’s Secretariat (G1) covered his earlier career, highlighted by a pair of Glorious Goodwood victories in the 2014 Vintage (G2) and 2015 Gordon (G3) as well as a fine second in the French Derby (G1). Last summer, O’Brien described him as “still a bit babyish and will be one for next year.”

American fans will recall what a “babyish” Highland Reel did to his Secretariat rivals:

 

After that demolition job, I thought that Highland Reel might come into the discussion for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland. But his ensuing fifth to Golden Horn and Found in last fall’s Irish Champion (G1) (on unsuitable ground) confirmed the original plan to send him to Australia. With his dam being a multiple Group 1-placed full sister to Elvstroem, a venture Down Under for the Cox Plate (G1) made perfect sense commercially. He ran into a course record-shredding buzzsaw by the name of Winx, though, and settled for third. There was no disgrace either in finishing a length astern of internationally campaigned veteran Criterion, who saved ground on the fence.

Highland Reel continued on his travels for the Hong Kong Vase (G1), his first try at 1 1/2 miles since the Gordon, and proved that this might be his best trip after all by dethroning Flintshire. When defending Vase champion Flintshire headed him in the stretch, Highland Reel repelled him with an even stronger change of gear. According to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Highland Reel clocked his final 400 meters (about quarter-mile) in :22.78 compared to Flintshire’s :23.04.