O’Reilly mare claims Pukekohe feature

O’Reilly mare Annie Higgins look set to bring further stakes honours to her champion sire in the coming months. The Lance Noble-trained six-year-old came with a powerful late burst to win today’s Gr.3 Counties Cup with the promise of more to come.

Annie Higgins was making the third start of her current campaign and off the back of her narrow victory at Pukekohe she will next defend her Gr.3 Waikato Gold Cup title. ““She needed every bit of the 2100 metres today so it’s onwards and upwards now to the 2400 metres of the Waikato Cup.”

Ridden by regular partner Leith Innes, Annie Higgins took time to wind up in the straight and arrived late to snatch a narrow victory. “That was heart in the mouth stuff, but Leith (Innes) timed it to perfection,” Noble said. “She’s a really tough and honest mare and gives 100 per cent every time.”