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Most of the highway between Goulburn and Rosehill Gardens is two lanes but Goulburn trainers Danny Williams, and Emma & Lucy Longmire will be looking for three clear lanes of their own in Saturday’s TAB Highway Handicap at Rosehill.

Between the two stables they supply three of the 13 acceptors in the 'highway' on Saturday and if any of the three can find a fast lane they should take holding out. Williams is well known for his Highway Handicap dominance and has Volpe on the quick back-up after winning the corresponding race last Saturday with the Foxwedge gelding.

Goulburn-trained galloper Volpe (Jean Van Overmeire) races clear to score at Rosehill Gardens. Image by Steve Hart Photographics

He also has consistent mare O’Lordy engaged who won a class two Highway Handicap first-up this campaign. She then finished a length off the winner in fourth place in The Guy Walter Fillies & Mares Handicap on her home track on Goulburn Cup day.

Savatiano, runner-up in the same race, has since posted another second result at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Williams, who has won a phenomenal five Highway Handicaps in the last three months, as well as a Highway consolation race, has both horses well in the market on the current TAB Fixed Odds offering.

While Williams’s horses will be shorter in the market, their fellow local and last start country winner Ribs, trained by Emma & Lucy Longmire, could also make his presence felt despite tackling a tougher assignment this time around. The tough Roadhog gelding has had a consistent second campaign scoring a deserved last start win at Gundagai over the same trip as his Highway Handicap assignment on Saturday.

Trainer Lucy Longmire believes that it’s the right time to test him in this grade after four runs back from a spell: “He’s definitely more seasoned this time in. Everything fell into place at Gundagai last start and we are happy enough with how he has come through the run,” Ms Longmire said. “No doubt it will be the biggest test for him so far, he is fit enough though. We are pleased with how he has drawn which will suit him."

Ms Longmire would love to see some moisture remain in the Rosehill track (currently a Soft 6) commenting: “It would be lovely if it continued to rain!”

The Longmire twins also have their staying mare Wildflower engaged in the National Jockeys Trust Handicap over 2000m. Lucy Longmire thinks that the mare returned to something more like her best form at this track last start.

“She is good on all surfaces, although we would prefer a wet track. This is a real tough test for her as well but she is at peak fitness and ready to tackle the challenge.”

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Rosehill Gardens here

*Goulburn District Race Club will race again next Thursday 14th December, with nominations closing at 11am today (Friday 8th December) - View the race program for Goulburn here