Highland Dancer ready to make all the right moves at Muswellbrook

One of the most promising gallopers to emerge from the New England region in the last few years is set to repay punters when she lines up for only her second start at Monday’s Muswellbrook meeting.

Highland Dancer, a filly by famed six-time Group 1-winning Irish star Highland Reel in the Stirling Osland stable at Armidale, went under as a heavily backed favourite on debut at Gunnedah three weeks ago.

That day after being backed from $2.40 into a hot $1.75, she was slow to jump before being bustled through underneath, but then lay in for much of the run home and was swamped late by half a length.

It was a costly introduction to the races, but with more education, a step up in distance, and getting on to a far bigger circuit, Highland Dancer is primed to repay the faith.

Certainly the early market was taking few, if any chances, especially with the track likely to be deep in soft range, installing her a $1.90 favourite for a Maiden Plate over 1280m, despite the filly drawing the outside barrier.

Highland Dancer could well be aimed at a Saturday Highway or even step up to the mile for the feature Showcase Quirindi Cup on February 20 if all goes to plan at Muswellbrook.

Armidale’s leading trainer will be hunting a race-to-race double at the meeting to snap a tough run away from his home track so far in 2026.

In the race prior – the Maiden Handicap over 1500m – he saddles up tough mare Bohemian Art for the first time since being transferred from Nathan Doyle at Newcastle.

A daughter of prolific sire Deep Field, Bohemian Art had placed in his last two at Port Macquarie before the stable switch and opened $6.50 in early betting well behind hot favourite Are You Kidding around $1.80.

The seven-race card may even be run in heavy conditions with steady rain forecast right through Monday.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au