HIGHLAND Reel (27, pace adjusted 36) showed really good acceleration to win by 12 lengths at Gowran Park in early July. His smart turn of foot was again in evidence when he scuttled clear of his rivals in the closing stages of the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last week.

To my eye Highland Reel’s action looked rather scratchy in the closing stages, so I’m thinking he was not liking the firm ground very much. There are some pretty good indications that his two siblings liked easier surfaces in Australia. In the long run I expect he will too.