The Highway Rat© Photo Healy Racing
Andy Oliver reports The Highway Rat in good form following a promising seasonal reappearance at the Curragh and has the upcoming Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes at Naas in mind for his sprinter.
The five-year-old was giving weight away all round when beating all bar Laugh A Minute on the opening day of the turf season at the Curragh last month.
The Dandy Man gelding has gained all five previous wins on the polytrack at Dundalk including the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes.
"He's good,” said Oliver.
"He had a very nice run on what we thought was unsuitable ground and he could go to Naas (on April 24)."
The Tyrone trainer saddled Glory Daze to finish fifth behind Westover in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby last year and is hopeful he could have a runner again this season.
"We have a couple engaged in the Derby including Picture Of A City. It is a speculative entry.
"He might start in the next week or so, but like all of my horses he'll probably need the first run. We are certainly looking forward to getting him out.
"We do like him, we think he has developed well. He has matured into a lovely-looking horse.
"He had one nice run and we put him away with a three-year-old campaign in mind.
"He is a good-ground horse. He looks like he should handle most things. It would be no harm if it dried up a bit."
Picture Of A City didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages before staying on well into fourth behind Starry Heavens on debut over a mile at the Curragh last September.
Quotes by Michael Graham
