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By Tony Megahey

The interminable bond and passions between the football codes and thoroughbred racing continue with the Tash Burleigh-trained prospect To The Nines ($9.50 on TAB) into a TAB $75,000 Class 3, 1200m Highway at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Part-owner of the triple-race winning Epaulette gelding is Nick Farr-Jones AM, Hall of Fame Rugby Union captain and 1991 World Cup winner.

To The Nines (Jordan Mallyon) in winning form at Goulburn. Image by Bradley Photographers

Farr-Jones is among a host of players over the years involved in racing syndicates.

Also among them in recent times is Canberra Raider’s Rugby League captain Jarrod Croker who has shares in previous Burleigh-trained Highway gallopers Territorial, Napoli and Hangover Monday.

Farr-Jones and his co-owners have certainly kicked a goal with the three-year-old impressively winning with 59kg at Wagga Wagga and Goulburn recently for Burleigh, a regular series contender.

Tash, who rides her own work, was in the spotlight with Al Mah Haha, a dual Country Championships finalist and Goulburn Cup winner who incidentally is back in work.

With the upside of successive wins, inside draw and the bonus of excelling on rain-affected tracks, To The Nines is appealingly weighted on 58kg for Jordan Mallyon. And they can’t do much more than win three and place twice from just five race starts.

“Certainly can’t, it’s Nick’s first horse with us, we thought coming to town might be a bit too soon for this gelding - still immature and learning but the way he’s been winning convinced us he was up for it,” Tash enthused amidst a brilliant streak of seven recent winners, three at Goulburn including To The Nines.

“He’s giving weight to older horses but the upside and form are there and if we win another race at the regionals we’re not eligible for another Highway.

“There’s the prizemoney levels compared to staying at the regionals where he’d get a lot more weight. We’re drawn lovely he can race on-pace, he’s proven on wet ground and Jordan won on him last start.

“We’re having a good trot at present so we’re coming pretty positive for a day out. We’re certainly not overconfident though - these Highways are hard to win and big fields; they're always strong form.”

No argument there. Five last start winners and trainers with multiple series success.

Proven Highway performer Hellenism is an early scratching from a wide draw for an alternative race (Race 5 - a $21 chance).

At present 'The Gardens' is rated a soft 5 in fine weather with the rail out 3m the entire circumference.

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