Hill Smith Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft   Weather: Cloudy

There is a field of eight three-year-olds for the $107,250 Hill Smith Stakes with six geldings, one colt and one filly. Two of them had their last start in a 3YO BM 62 Handicap over 1550m at Morphettville Parks on 24 September while the rest came through different races. Four runners are still maidens. Trainers Travis Doudle and Danny O’Brien have two runners each. The early favourite is Murmasa who was a narrow winner at Sale on debut, then finished 3.9 lengths 7th in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes.

Second favourite is Merchant Boss who resumed from a 23 week break for a narrow 2nd over 1400m at Morphettville Parks, then was a 2.4 length winner over 1550m at that track. Both times the going was Soft. Third favourite is Big Story who has one win from his three starts. More Reward finished 2nd behind Merchant Boss last start. The other four runners are currently 16 to 1 or longer.

1. Merchant Boss (8)

One of two runners for Travis Doudle. This Merchant Navy gelding was a win and a place from three starts. He resumed from a 23 week break for a narrow 2nd over 1400m at Morphettville Parks on 10 September, then was a 2.4 length winner over 1550m at that track on 24 September. Both times the going was soft. One of the key chances.

2. Big Story (4)

This What’s the Story gelding has one win from his three starts. At his 2nd start he won by a length over 1400m at Ballarat, then battled on steadily for 3.7 lengths 4th over 1500m at Moonee Valley on 3 September. He had poor recovery after that race and can improve here. Trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) won this race with Craftmanship in 2019, and jockey Todd Pannell won this race on Cerberus last year.  Could show up.

3. Muramasa (2)

This Deep Impact colt is the only runner to have raced at Group level. He was a narrow winner at Sale on debut, then finished 3.9 lengths 7th in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes. Jocket Paul Gatt has won this race a few times on Hioctdane (2012), Dual Hemispher (2008) and Kibbutz (2007). Expected to be in the finish.

4. Prince Tikea (7)

The second runner from the Doudle stable has a win and a place from four starts. Last start  he was a 0.3 length winner in a maiden plate over 1516m at Gawler on 3 October. That was on soft going and it wouldn’t surprise to see him in the finish.

5. Gong Him Red (1)

One of two runners for Danny O’Brien, and both are sired by Churchill. Only beat one home on debut at Bendigo and was turned out for 20 weeks. Resumed for 1.8 lengths 3rd over 1406m at Benalla on a Heavy 10 track. Rough place chance.

6. The Old Lion (5)

The 2nd O’Brien runner. Debuted for 4.8 lengths 7th behind Muramasa at Sale on 1 September, then came from last to make steady ground for 7 lengths 4th over 1606m at Benalla on 23 September. Others have better chances.

7. Our Selection (6)

Trained by Sue & Jason Jaensch at Murray Bridge. This Preferment gelding ran 3.6 lengths 5th over 1300m at Morphettville Parks last start. Still a maiden and will be tested here.

8. More Reward (3)

She is the only filly in the race and finished 2nd behind Merchant Boss last start. She has placed 3 times in 5 starts and has a genuine chance here.

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

The track was rated as Soft 7.

Scratching: 3. Muramasa.