The Highland Reel runs his rivals ragged in First NSW Derby Heat.

Crack Victorian harness racing colt The Highlight Reel (Poster Boy) drew first blood when he led all the way in First Heat of the Freedom Farms NSW Derby at Menangle Park last night.

On the strength of his recent good form, The Highland Reel was installed a short priced favourite despite the wide barrier 6 draw.

Driver Mark Pitt hunted out The Highland Reel with Mac Bon and Jungle Dragon on his inside. Luke McCarthy went to the lead with Mac Bon but elected to take the trail as Pitt pressed for the lead.

THE HIGHLAND REEL MAR 1 REPLAY HEAT 1 NSW DERBY

From then on the key question would be would The Highland Reel keep running or would Mac Bon outsprint him.

As it turned out The Highlight Reel with final quarters of 28.5 and 26.2 seconds made it impossible for his rivals to make up any ground. Mac Bon battled on gamely but couldn’t make any headway finishing just under four metres back in second placing with Jungle Dragon a distant third after having a trail back on the rails. Those three pacers qualified for next week’s Final.

Raced by Clayton Tonkin the colt is prepared by partner Emma Stewart and already she looks to have  strong representation in the Derby as she also trains the exciting unbeaten colt Always Hot who has already gained a place in next week’s Final as a result of his win in the Simpson Memorial three weeks ago.

Nonetheless The Highland Reel has proved that with his sectionals he is no slouch and a favourable draw in next week’s $200,000 Final would place him in contention.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink