Muscle Mass mare takes out Northern Breeders Stakes

Classy Muscle Mass mare Bonnie Highlander was far too good for her rivals in the Group 3 Sims Pacific Metals Northern Breeders Stakes (2,700m) at Alexandra Park on Friday evening.

Beginning off a 20m handicap, the Robert Dunn trained square-gaiter bided her time towards the back of the field before sweeping  to the lead with a lap to go. Once in front, the 5-year-old put the contest beyond any doubt, drawing clear in the back straight and coasting to an easy four and a quarter length win over She's Allthecraze. (Watch a race replay here)

The win was Bonnie Highlander's sixth overall, taking her earnings to $67,496.

Bred by Kevin and Pauline Fairbairn, Bonnie Highlander is out of the six-win Armbro Invasion mare Lexie Highlander, a Group 3 placed sibling to the outstanding Group 1 winners Glenbogle (Armbro Invasion) and Whatsundermykilt (Sundon).

It was a good weekend for Muscle Mass mares, with the regally bred Some Time scoring her second career win at Addington Raceway on Friday evening and Jour Highness also recording win number two at Stratford on Saturday.

From limited opportunity to date Muscle Mass has done a phenomenal job as a sire, with his one NZ bred commercial crop of racing age producing 79% qualifiers to live foals (41 out of 52 foals) and 65% winners to foals (34 out of 52), including the Group 1 winners Massive Metro and Custodian, along with NZ Trotting Oaks winner Chevron Express, Group 3 winner Needle and the Harness Jewels 2YO Ruby runner-up and multiple NZ Record Holder, Heavyweight Hero.