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By Tony Megahey

When the lucrative Hong Kong offer rung in recently for Philipsburg, after his big run at Royal Randwick, trainer James Ponsonby consulted his long-time confidants, part-owners (his parents) and wife Karyn.

For the Southern Highlands trainer and ex-Mark Newnham foreman his mind was made up, however assurances from a family with 30 years in harness racing and any amount of quality horses was reinforced.

“If the offer seems too good to refuse, money comes from mere mortals; a quality horse can be a gift from the good lord of racing, and he can make you wait a long time,” James quipped.

“It depends on your circumstances, but we’re established and the greatest satisfaction and enjoyment in racing is to see one of your own turn out special and make it to the big races.”

Philipsburg is far from setting the racing world on fire, but he’s lit the match in restricted grade.

He is named after the capital city of the spectacular Caribbean Island of Saint Martin and he’s favourite on Saturday, marginally ahead of Cameron’s Crockett’s Commando Hunt.

Philipsburg runs second at Randwick on July 31

The four-year-old Per Incanto (US) gelding goes is into a TAB Highway $100,000 Class 3, 1400m at Kembla on Saturday with three wins in eight starts, 57.5g for Josh Parr following a long neck second to highly promising Sunrise Ruby three weeks ago at headquarters.

They are opposed by Highway heavyweights, prolific series winners Matthew Dale and Keith Dryden with dual representatives solid in the market. However, Ponsonby offers a compelling case.

“The form around us is the strongest in the race; they don’t get much deeper Highways than when we ran a second to Sunrise Ruby and beat Mr Hussill,'' he said.

“They were talking Country Championships and even long term The Kosciuszko.

“Mitch Beer said his mare might be one of the best he’s trained and the final section to grab us was exceptional. So, Saturday is certainly no tougher.

“I ride mine work and he’s better if that’s good enough on Saturday. From the good draw he’ll position closer at 1400m than 1200m. We’re coming with expectations.”

First-up at Royal Randwick after a lengthy spell and an impressive Goulburn trial in the heavy, where he beat Goulburn Cup winner Al Mah Haha, Philipsburg joined the lead and was run down late by Sunrise Ruby.

Meanwhile from their 100-hectare southern highlands property James drove his first winner at just 17.

He eventually switched codes for unprecedented prizemoney and the opportunity with a profile stable. And the ambition to eventually go it alone.

James knows the feel of genuine class. He rode regular track work Newnham’s Group One winners Shadow Hero and Nakeeta Jane.

“They give you the feel of a formula one race car compared to the average horse.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Kembla Grange meeting