Hill Smith Stakes – 2020

Track: Soft   Weather: Cloudy

There is a field of 12 three-year-olds for the $100,000 Hill Smith Stakes and four of them had their last start in a 3YO BM 72 Handicap over 1550m at Morphettville Parks on 26 September. The early favourite is Ain’tnodeeldun who won a maiden plate over 1615m at Sale by 5 lengths on 24 September and looked very impressive. Second favourite is The Brumby who followed a close 2nd at Sandown Hillside with 1.55 lengths 7th at Flemington and has won in soft going. Third favourite is Talamo who won a maiden plate at Murray Bridge by 4 lengths before 1.8 lengths 5th over 1550m last start.

Crown Mint finished 5th in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes last start and is drawn to do no work. So You Can was a close 2nd over 1550m last start. Deepstrike has ran a place in both of his starts. Victoria Quay won by 1.6 lengths over 1600m at Balaklava on 16 September and looks as if she will relish the extra 200m, while Dalgarno finished 1.25 lengths 5th in the Derby Trail over this distance on 23 September.  The other four runners are currently 25 to 1 or longer.

1. So You Can

This So You Think gelding has two wins and two places from six starts. He went to Melbourne and ran 5.15 lengths 8th in the Listed Exford Plate over 1400m on 12 September, then was tightened and inconvenienced when 0.1 length 2nd over 1550m at Morphettville Parks on 26 September. Could show up.

2. Crown Mint

In the autumn he was placed in the Group 3 Breeders’Stakes over 1200m and the Group 3 SA Sires Produce over 1400m. He ran 2.45 lengths 4th in the Listed Exford Plate over 1400 then 7.2 lengths 5th in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at his latest start. Should go well.

3. The Brumby

One of four runners for Tony McAvoy. He ran on strongly for 0.4 length 2nd over 1300m at Sandown Hillside on 9 September, then jumped awkwardly and was held up when he finished 1.55 lengths 7th over 1400m at Flemington on 23 September. He has won in soft going.

4. Ain’tnodeeldun

This Dundeel colt trained by Anthony Freedman at Mornington has five starts for one win. He made steady ground out wide for 3 lengths 5th over 1300m at Bendigo on 2 September, then charged to the front to go clear and win by 5 lengths over 1615m at Sale on 24 September. He is fitter now and looks well=placed to win again.

5. Zeppa

Followed 4,7 lengths 6th at Balaklava on 16 September with 0.1 length, 0.2 length 3rd over 1550m at Morphettville on 26 September. Has drawn the outside barrier. Could place.

6. The Olympian

Won a maiden plate over 1400m at Murray Bridge on 9 September, then finished 1.3 lengths 4th over 1550m at Morphettville Parks on 26 September. Others have better chances.

7. Talamo

Won a maiden plate at Murray Bridge by 4 lengths before 1.8 lengths 5th over 1550m last start where he jumped awkwardly, was bumped, tightened and not really tested. Looks a chance.

8. Deepstrike

One of two runners Mick Price has brought from Victoria (the other is Dalgarno) he has ran a place in both of his starts. They were both at Geelong and he will probably win a race soon.

9. Casino Seventeen

He was a close runner-up at Naracoorte then Bordertown when favourite both times, then won by 4.3 lengths over 1500m at Gawler on 5 October. He is on a short back-up and could surprise.

10. Dalgarno

Was a close 2nd over 1590m at Wangaratta on 7 September then was 1.35 lengths 5th over 1800m at Flemington in the Derby Trial on 23 September. Unlikely.

11. Victoria Quay

One of two fillies she wound up strongly at her second start to win by 1.6 lengths over 1600m at Balaklava on 16 September. She is by Dundeel – the same sire as the favourite Ain’tnodeeldun- and could show up.

12. Passing Phase

She has four places from her six starts but they are not at metropolitan teracks and she might find this too hard.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
4 Ain’tnodeeldun
7 Talamo
8 Deepstrike
2 Crownmint

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	4. Ain’tnodeeldun
2nd	11. Victoria Quay	0.8 length
3rd	12. Passing Phase	2.8 lengths
4th	8. Deepstrike	3 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4

Scratchings were – nil