Hill Stakes Day brings 10 races to Rosehill this Saturday, with Lindermann back to defend his crown in the Group 2 feature. Our Hill Stakes Day Tips cover the key runners and betting angles across the card.
The Group 3 Roman Consul Stakes, The Nivison, Alan Brown Stakes and Gloaming Stakes, plus the Listed Tapp-Craig, make for a strong supporting card.
The track is rated a Soft 5 and the rail is out 2m. Keep the track conditions in mind as we assess the speed maps and key runners.
Our race analysis weighs up the main winning chances and betting opportunities across the card.
There’s class all over the program and plenty of chances to strike. Let’s dive into the Rosehill form and hunt down a few winners.
MISS SPACEGIRL (2) returned in terrific order last start in a similar race over 1300m here.
The Richard and Will Freedman-trained mare settled towards the tail and struggled to find a clear path in the straight. Once she got room late, she savaged the line and missed the win by a nose.
She’ll appreciate the slight rise in distance and has finished runner-up in two of her three second-up starts.
Siena Grima’s 2kg claim should help, and although she’ll likely settle back from the wide gate, the expected speed should give her the chance to rattle home over the top of them.
| 2. Miss Spacegirl (10) J: Siena Grima 59kg 430×2 T: Richard & Will Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months came from the tail of the field 2nd of 10 in a Midway Bm72 at this track on September 26 over 1300m, nose behind Call Me Sassy with 58kg at $7. Previously second-up settled back and ran on when 4th of 8 in a Bm72 at Canterbury on December 12 over 1250m, 1.75 len behind Mother Goose carrying 57.5kg at $5. Genuine performer who can go one better today. | |||
Oh no, Matt Dunn doesn’t have a runner in this Highway Handicap. What are we going to do with no automatic Highway pick?
We’re going to support the Brett and Georgie Cavanough-trained MAGIC MERLIN (4), who is racing in great form with three wins from his past four starts.
The son of Lucky Vega looked a class above last start over a mile at Scone. After settling last from a wide draw, he charged past his rivals with little encouragement from his jockey to win by just over half a length.
He’s rock-hard fit and may be able to settle closer from the good barrier for Jason Collett.
BARRENGARRY (9) has returned in sparkling form, winning his past two starts.
The Joseph Ible-trained gelding impressed over a mile at Randwick last start. Despite racing three-wide throughout and carrying 60.5kg, he put his rivals away with ease.
This is a stronger race, but he’ll appreciate carrying 5kg less. He looks ready for 2000m and finished three lengths fifth in his only previous start over the distance, in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate last preparation.
Zac Lloyd stays aboard and should be able to give him every chance stalking what looks like a decent speed.
PROXIMA DEA (11) lines up in the Gloaming Stakes looking to maintain her unbeaten record.
The David Payne-trained filly showed plenty of toughness to win by a nose on debut in heavy conditions, then followed up with a second-up victory over a mile at Newcastle.
She impressed last start over this course and distance, running down the tearaway leader to arrive right on time and score by a nose.
That was five weeks ago, so she’s been back to the trials, where she produced a piece of work that had Zac Lloyd grinning. The daughter of Tarzino draws to get the perfect run.
REVENGEANCE (1) looks well placed under the set-weight conditions after an unlucky run in the Run To The Rose last start.
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained colt loomed large in the straight but became boxed in and never really got clear. There was plenty of merit in his 2.46-length sixth to Warwoven, who subsequently won the Golden Rose.
He’ll strip fitter third-up, and the rise to seven furlongs looks ideal.
Adam Hyeronimus should be able to settle him in a prominent position.
PARADOXIUM (1) returned in magnificent order last start, winning the Poseidon Stakes at Flemington.
The Bjorn Baker-trained colt jumped straight to the front and was never headed, running quick time to win by a length.
He’s a month between runs, but a recent exhibition gallop pleased Jason Collett and should have him tuned up nicely.
The rise to 1200m shouldn’t faze him, given he won the Todman Stakes over this distance first-up last preparation. From the inside barrier, Collett should be able to land on speed and prove hard to run down.
LINDERMANN (1) failed to handle the Melbourne way of going last start, tailing off to finish last in the Underwood Stakes.
A return to Sydney can help the Chris Waller-trained gelding bounce back and defend his Hill Stakes crown.
He led the 1900m contest last year before dashing clear late to win by 2.17 lengths. He defeated Attrition, Kovalica and Militarize, who he faces again here.
Before his disappointing Melbourne trip, Lindermann won the Chelmsford Stakes with ease, in what looked like a paid trial.
Nash Rawiller is back in the saddle and should give him every chance by rating him perfectly in front.
SEPALS (5) looks set for another big preparation after an excellent return in the Rupert Clarke Stakes.
The Cliff Brown-trained gelding enjoyed a nice run and briefly hit the front with 100m to go, but the fitter Angel Capital nailed him late. He finished three-quarters of a length second.
He’ll strip fitter and has performed well second-up before, including a win in last year’s Rupert Clarke Stakes and a second in this year’s Stradbroke Handicap.
His last Sydney run didn’t go to plan, but the one before that was excellent, with Sepals finishing second to Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle.
Jamie Mott is undefeated aboard him and has travelled from Melbourne to take the ride. Sepals shouldn’t be far off the leaders, and I expect him to be fighting out the finish.
GERRINGONG (8) makes the trip south from Brisbane to kick off her preparation in The Nivison.
The Blue Point mare raced well in her first preparation for the Chris and Corey Munce stable. She began with a head second in the Dane Ripper Stakes, then placed in the Tattersall’s Tiara before finishing a close fourth in the Glasshouse.
She looks ready for a bold first-up showing after working well to the line in a recent trial win.
She’s well weighted under the set-weight conditions, carrying just 54kg. Tyler Schiller will likely settle back from the wide gate, but there looks to be ample speed to help her work home strongly.
FIERCE (9) has finished in the quinella in five of his six starts, with three of those runs resulting in wins.
The Team Hawkes-trained gelding returned in great order two starts ago, bullocking his way into the clear before charging home to win by 1.9 lengths at Warwick Farm.
He was unlucky not to threaten for the win at Canterbury last start, where he never got on the track but still worked home well for second behind the speedy Whatalegacy.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and should land in a prominent position for Tyler Schiller.
Rosehill Big Bets
The big bets are in for Hill Stakes Day. See which runners are attracting attention at Rosehill.