High class ‘Highfields’ draft a recipe for success

When Chris and Tina Barlow from Highfields Bloodstock chose Woodlands Stud’s classy son of Somebeachsomewhere, Downbytheseaside, as a consort for their super-producing Presidential Ball mare Destiny, it was not without an element of risk.

However the couple from Albany had some method to their madness, and also knew there was a good chance of breeding an exceptionally good racehorse.

Bred on a little used  2×4 cross  – in this case to Presidential Ball – the  result of this mating is the Mark and Nathan Purdon trained three-year-old filly, Moments Like This who looks on track to fulfil this belief.

She was offered at the 2022 NZB Standardbred Sale at Karaka and was purchased for the tidy sum of $85,000 by Jean Feiss of Victoria, a woman renowned for selecting a yearling and in particular, procuring quality fillies.

Moments Like These was unveiled as a late season two-year-old at Ashburton back on the 21st of Decemeber and was devastating on debut with a 1:57.5 mile rate producing a four and a half length debut success with Olivia Thornley doing the steering.

The young reinswoman combined with the talented daughter of Downbytheseaside three weeks later on the same track, this time in a 1:55.8 mile rate for an even more impressive five length victory at just her second start.

And while the margin and mile rates had heads turning – it was the manner in which she won these races, showcasing explosive speed when asked to quicken, that really set tongues wagging and experts asking just how far this filly could go given her pedigree and obvious ability.

She faces her toughest test to date at Addington Raceway tonight (Feb 2.) when she puts her unbeaten record on the line against some in form horses such as the Bob Butt trained Xlendi (Somebeachsomewhere) and stabelmate, Major Hot (Art Major).

Highfields Bloodstock has stuck with the magic formula and are now offering a full sister to Moments Like This at the Karaka Yearling Sales on the 18^th of February in Auckland.

Lot 4: Downbytheseaside x Destiny (Presidential Ball) filly

The Barlow’s are really excited about the latest offering and believe this filly is a compact and likely two year old type who has ‘get up and run’ written all over her .

As a broodmare, Destiny has done a great job to date.  Not only has she herself left a Group 1 winner in Onlyforyou, but of her three daughters with  racing age stock, two have already left Group 1 winners themselves and the other, Always For You, has only one foal of racing age who is already Group placed from limited outings.

The latter mare also has  her third foal on offer as Lot  108 – a very strong colt by the exciting son of Captaintreacherous in Captain Crunch.

Lot 108: Captain Crunch – Always For You (Art Major) filly

Furthermore a sister to Destiny in Just A Dream has a very classy Bettors Delight colt on offer.

Lot 37 is a half brother to the Group One placed Heisenberg who set a New Zealand record early on in his career and has now won nine races including 33 placings for over $280,000 in stakes.

Lot 37: Bettor’s Delight x Just A Dream (Christian Cullen) colt

From Highfields small draft of 5 fillies at the 2022 Karaka Yearling Sales, three are on track for making the $150,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million 3YO Fillies Final to be raced at Alexandra Park on the eve of Karaka Sales weekend – no small feat from a boutique breeder who only ever has 6-7 horses for sale.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink