American dirt-bred colt overcomes Gowran's heavy ground

Trainer Fozzy Stack registered a first top-level success this season in America and today his dirt-bred, Keeneland-bought Highland Rahy (3/1) landed Gowran's Thomastown Maiden - overcoming apparent doubts about handling heavy going.

Bought with an all-American-pedigree for $160,000 as a yearling, the Hard Spun-colt was withdrawn from two recent heavy-ground maidens due to 'unsuitable ground' but today, with time ticking, gained a late-season success when easily beating Toll Stone (1/1f).

Winning jockey Joey Sheridan said “he jumped well, as he always does and Fozzy said to ride him straight forward. He seemed to enjoy that ground and relished a step up in trip. It’s proper deep ground and probably the heaviest I’ve ridden on all year.

“He’s probably only getting the hang of it now and I think there is more to come from him.”

Aspen Grove had credited trainer Royal Ascot-winning trainer Stack with a breakthrough Grade 1 success in July's Belmont Oaks.

Quotes from Alan Magee