It was just two years ago that Munhamek triumphed in the Listed Winter Championship Series Final, a feat that now feels like a distant memory for trainer Nick Ryan.

The enduring eight-year-old gelding achieved that Flemington success, and Ryan is now hopeful that another eight-year-old, Highlights, can emulate that performance this Saturday.

Both horses joined Ryan’s stable under different circumstances. Munhamek came from Hong Kong, while Highlights transferred from the Guy stable in Queensland and, more recently, from Bjorn Baker’s stable in Sydney. Both have used the David Bourke Handicap (1620m) as their preparatory run.

Highlights put forth his strongest run for the new yard in the David Bourke Handicap, finishing third and being beaten by a mere head by Seafall. Ryan mentioned that integrating the horse into the stable has been a learning process.

“His form with me has been a little bit patchy, but he’s had excuses every time he’s run badly,” Ryan said.

“He looked the winner the other day, and he’s come through the run well, so no doubt we’ll head to the final on Saturday.

“He’s very structurally good, he’s a little bit quirky… he trialled well nude with no gear on at Werribee so we just stripped everything back, left the tongue tie on, but I think it certainly helped.”

The David Bourke Handicap has served as a reliable form guide for the Winter Championship Series Final in recent years, with Jimmy The Bear mirroring Munhamek’s achievement by winning both races last year, and Tuvalu doing the same in 2022.

“I did it with Munhamek, he won that race and went on to win the final so it’s generally the right way to go,” Ryan commented.

“Like I said, his form does look patchy but he’s had excuses every time. Hopefully he’ll improve off that run and be a lightweight chance in the final.”

With Highlights showing promise, new Australian betting sites might offer competitive racing betting markets.