Ace High has tune-up gallop at Randwick

With several of his potential Victoria Derby rivals racing at Caulfield, Spring Champion Stakes winner Ace High has had quiet day out at Randwick.

David Payne opted not to race the colt in the four weeks between his Group One win and the Classic at Flemington and instead gave him a race day gallop.

With stablemate Blue Seal as a pacemaker over 2000 metres, Ace High passed him in the straight to record 2:16.41sec for the distance on the soft track with his last 600m in 35.17s.

“He has had two hard races so he didn’t need another one,” Payne said.

“He will have another couple of good gallops before the Derby. He is fit and all we need to do is keep him ticking over.

“I’m pleased and that’s a pretty good time given the soft ground.”

Race jockey Tye Angland was pleased with Ace High’s gallop and condition.

“He was strong, and it was a gallop, so he had plenty left in hand,” he said.

But he feels good and went through his gears and did just what we wanted.”