Harness racing fans in Australia are getting use to seeing those blue colours with the grey stars at their meetings and the seemingly endless production line of high class horses that the All Star barn bring over from New Zealand.
The latest horse from the champion barn to head across the Tasman is this years leading two year old trotter in High Gait.
The winner of five from six in New Zealand this season and only beaten by half a head in the other race, High Gait was given a look at Menangle on Tuesday afternoon at the trials.
Starting in a two year old pacing event, Mark Purdon settled the daughter of Muscles Yankee three back on the inner early as Its Inevitable and Michael Muscat set a quick tempo in front with Hell Bent and Kevin Pizzuto in the trail.
These three slipped away from the rest of the field as they turned for home with Hell Bent challenging Its Inevitable strongly but High Gait was jogging in behind the leader and never saw daylight when full of running.
The run itself had plenty of merit but when the time was announced of 1:55.5 for the winner Its Inevitable, the run of High Gait grew in statue.
She was timed in 1:55.8 with closing sectionals of 56.8 and 27.7 and she clocked that while looking to have something in reserve.
Her goal on the trip is the Australasian Breeders Crown and on Tuesday's run, she is without doubt the one to beat.
Another All Star runner to have a hit out prior to racing next week was Dream About Me.
Allowed to drop out to last in a small four horse field, she sprinted home hard held in 26.2 and looks ready to carry on her winning ways next week.
Harnesslink Media