Strong mile to suit High Class

It won’t be a truly run 1600 metres that gets the better of High Class at Christchurch, according to Jenna Mahoney.

The Ardmore trainer says that is exactly what the filly needs to show her best around the open spaces of Riccarton in the Gr.1 NZB 1000 Guineas on November 14.

“I’m confident she will run the mile better than most of them,” she said. “She will get better over more ground and hopefully they run the race at a genuine clip.”

She also has an intimate knowledge of the Shocking three-year-old’s family to boost her belief in High Class’ ability to star over 1600 metres and beyond.

The filly is out of Mill Duckie, who won eight races including the Listed Sunline Vase and placed at Group One level in the New Zealand Oaks and the Thorndon Mile, and Mahoney trained her brother Mill Vinnie to win seven races up to 2100 metres.

High Class was a winner and was fourth in the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes last season and following an unplaced first-up run this term she placed against the older horses before a strong second in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes.

“She’s certainly worth taking down for a crack at the Guineas, she’s only had that one hiccup on a bad track at Te Rapa,” Mahoney said.

“She’s come through the Soliloquy well, probably better than any of her other runs, and I just want the Guineas to be run at a bit of pace.”