Breaking through for a deserved maiden Highway victory last start after hitting the frame for second in three consecutive outings, Goulburn trainer Danielle Seib is confident her gelding will be able to again make a strong account of himself when tackling the 1500m Highway on Saturday.
Since moving over from John O'Shea mid last year, the son of Xtravagant has been a model of consistency for Seib. The four-year-old has kept not only Seib delighted but also his owners, shouldering a healthy record for himself in the Highways with a win and three placings from five starts.
"The Highways are so lucrative when you've got a horse like him. He's got a good racing pattern, he's consistent and he gets over a range of track distances and surfaces - he's just ideal for it," Seib said.
"He's really enjoyable to have for his owners. They get to head down to Sydney all the time and have a nice day out and watch him run good races.
"I think he's in with a good shot again (on Saturday). He's not going to carry too much weight - we've got Dylan Gibbons engaged who will take 2kgs off and I think that was the secret last start."
With the classing system preventing King Of Spades from competing in future Highways if he was to salute on Saturday, Seib is sure he will be able to still make an impact in city company.
"I think with his racing pattern he could certainly be a horse that would relish a track like Canterbury," Seib said.
"We would like to think that hopefully he would be able to take that next step and then maybe turn into a Country Cup horse further down the line."
Seib also has four-year-old Blood River engaged on Saturday after a game fourth last start in the Highway his stablemate King Of Spades won.
Blood River has also been in good touch since joining Seib's stables late last year, winning on two occasions.
"We were looking to throw him in the deep end a little bit in a tick over run until we found another suitable Highway," Seib said.
"He ran super in the Highway but just had to work too hard from the wide gate, but he certainly put his hand up and said he's good enough to be in that sort of grade."
