High Hopes for High Cee

Whangarei couple John and Karen Sprague celebrated an exciting win as the breeders of High Cee (Marju x Sweet Vienna) when he triumphed in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The five-year-old�gelding finished a nose ahead of Danleigh in second place with The Free Starter three-and-a-quarter lengths away in third.�

High Cee was a NZ$400,000 purchase by Bart Cummings from the 2003 Karaka Premier Sale, making him the fifth equal top-priced lot at that Sale.� The Spragues sold the colt through Janine Dunlop's Phoenix Park.

Showing talent early on in his career, the gelding broke maiden ranks at his third start, and then started in the Group 2 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at his fourth start.

Saturday's win, in the hands of Zac Purton, was High Cee's fifth and he has now won over AU$300,000 in prize money for his group of owners who include Dato Tan Chim Nam and Cummings.

The Spragues, who have a broodmare band of 15, have already had considerable success with Sweet Vienna (by Dahar).� She is the dam of stakes winner Bocelli (by Lord Ballina), who raced with distinction in Singapore, and the stakes placed Magic Hands (by Pompeii Court).�

Karen Sprague, obviously still elated after Saturday's victory said, "Hopefully he continues to go onto even bigger and better things".�

High Cee is currently nominated for the Group 1 AJC Doncaster Handicap (1600m), to be held on Monday 9 April, and is currently 41^st in the race order of entry.