Highway-bound Mr Chips set for city assignment

Jenny Dugan aboard Mr Chips. Image: Bradley Photos.

Troy O’Neile and owner June Baker will bypass the 2026 Country Championships with Mr Chips, instead focusing on Saturday’s $120,000 Highway Handicap at Royal Randwick.

The high-value race arrives at just the right time for the 5YO Casino Prince gelding, who’s won three of his past four, and appears primed for a crack at the 1800m Class Three Handicap.

Importantly, Jenny Duggan – the only jockey to win on the three-time victor – takes the ride and Mr Chips has drawn softly with gate six.

“He has always shown me plenty of ability, and he’s always been a horse I thought could dominate a field like this,” O’Neile told Dave Stanley during an interview on Sky Radio this morning.

“He comes from a good family, but I really don’t know what the turning point was (with his form), but I think the penny dropped and we found the key with Jenny (Duggan) as she has just worked out how to ride him.”

The only question mark will be the nine-furlong trip, but having dominated a 1600m Benchmark 66 Handicap at Dubbo on February 2, O’Neile is confident the Tamworth galloper will run out the trip.

“He’s had three wins in four starts, and a narrow second in between: he’s in good form,” O’Neile said.

“I don’t see it as an issue at all. Even though the rail is out down there on the weekend, I don’t think it’s going to be too big an issue, especially with the soft draw.”

It’s been a while between drinks for O’Neile, who last ventured to Sydney with a runner when Beckford finished third in the $150,000 Country Classic (2000m) in late 2022.

“It’s probably been about three or four years since I came to town with one,” O’Neile said.

Regarding the trip to Royal Randwick, O’Neile wants to give Mr Chips every possible chance and will travel up the day prior.

“We head down tomorrow. I’ve made arrangements to stay with a friend, Damien Lane, at Wyong, who’s not far out from Sydney,” O’Neile said.

“It still has that rural atmosphere for this fella, and he’s used to that sort of surroundings, and it’s not so much hustle and bustle for him; I expect a good showing from him.”

While O’Neile is off to Sydney on Friday, he also has a runner at Tamworth, with Milly’s Image taken on the 1400m Maiden Handicap.

Daniel Northey takes the ride, and connections have drawn a tad awkwardly with gate eight.

Words: Jeff Hanson

Image: Bradley Photos