As any harness racing trainer will tell you, manners are a big plus when it comes to raceday.
The ability to do things right gives a horse so many more options and generally these days if you haven't got good manners, you will struggle
Jim Curtin's smart little three year old Hickstead is a prime example of a young horse who seems to have all the ringcraft necessary to fully utilise his talent.
At Friday night at Addington Raceway, Hickstead stepped straight to the front and ran them along early, eased in the middle stages and then brushed home in 56.7 and 27.9 for a comfortable win.
The son of Mach Three from the former smart racemare Il Informed 1:58.3 ($80,423) was purchased out of the 2014 New Zealand Premier Sale at Christchurch for $26,000 and has always shown above average ability at trials and workouts.
A winner at two,Highstead started this season with a close second at Addington but had mixed luck at his next two before Friday night's win.
" He went really good first up for the season and then I took him to the Sires Stakes heat at Forbury Park but he went very average and was disappointing."
" I think I may have backed him up too soon as he is way better than that," Jim told Harnesslink recently.
From there Jim lined him up at Methven where he finished fourth and Jim blames himself for not finishing closer.
" I should have gone before Mark's (Purdon) horse came around so he did well to finish as close as he did."
" Even at Addington on Friday night he was having a look at everything and gawking about."
" I think he is better in behind than in front at the moment," Jim said.
Jim has no immediate plans for Hickstead though he is being aimed at the Sires Stakes consolation in late November.
" He is such a busy horse at home, always on the go."
" With his manners and ability I think we are going to have some real fun with this one," Jim said.
Harnesslink Media