Highly Explosive could be the surprise packet that ‘blows them away’ in the $75,000 to-the-winner G1 Gold FM Sale Cup series (650m) – part of the 2021/22 ‘Gippsland Festival of Racing’.
Trained at Lara by Craig Treherne – who turned 58 yesterday – Highly Explosive was a near-record Geelong 680m winner at her most recent start.
Highly Explosive (May ’19 Barcia Bale x Explosive Madame) clocked 38.78sec – only one length off the 38.72sec track record, set by Burn One Down on February 11, 2017.
A winner of 10 races (with five seconds and two thirds) from 28 starts, Highly Explosive is capable of brilliant times. She’s semaphored 25.40sec (Geelong 460m) and 26.98sec (Horsham 485m).
And, even more impressive, she finished fourth to superstar Aston Rupee (29.06sec) – two lengths astern on overall times, in the G3 Speed Star (515m) at Sandown Park on June 2. In her head-to-head, Highly Explosive was beaten a head by ‘ultimate professional’ Tiggerlong Tonk (29.19sec).
She also registered a flying 29.16sec, winning by 13 lengths, at SP on March 14 and followed up with a 29.24sec victory there on April 22.
Highly Explosive contests Heat 3 (Race 7, Box 5 – 7.54pm) of the Sale Cup on Sunday night and in an ominous warning to her rivals, Treherne now rates her a “better dog and more experienced”.
“I’ve never had any doubt in my mind… As soon as she showed me what she could do over the sprint, I started planning for middle and staying distances,” he said. “The back end of her race is her forte.”
Highly Explosive (6) goes off with a ‘bang’ at Geelong on November 25.
Highly Explosive was transferred from NSW to Treherne after only two starts and it didn’t take long for him to fathom her incredible natural ability.
“I’d only had her for around three weeks and her first run for me, at Geelong, showed she had massive staying potential,” he said. “But my biggest problem is she’s very ‘fragile’.
“She’s not as sound as I would like, and I can’t do a lot with her between runs. She just doesn’t stand up.”
And in a big statement, Treherne added: “If she could hold together, I rate her ability-wise on a par with Fanta Bale.”
Treherne also says Highly Explosive has been plagued with unfavourable box draws during her career. “She’s been unlucky in that respect, and it crucifies you when you’re not a good beginner.”
Highly Explosive is $5.00 second elect in her heat, behind staying gem Mepunga Ruby (Box 2) at $1.65F.
And in TAB’s ‘All In’ market for the Boxing Day final, Mepunga Ruby ($4.50) is on the top line of betting, followed by dual G1 winner Gypsy Wyong, Jarick Bale and Zac’s Entity (all $7.50). Highly Explosive is an enticing $18.
Click HERE for TAB’s ‘All In’ Sale Cup market
Other topliners in the series are Invictus Rising, McCooly’s Lad and Mepunga Warrior (all $12).
“Highly Explosive is just full on at home, and is a rippin’ chaser,” Treherne said. “But my concern is where she lands early in her heat; she needs to sit in the top three to win the race.
“However, in my opinion, Mepunga Ruby is the one to beat in the series.”
