Track: Good 4 Weather: Fine

A field of 10 runners have accepted for the 2024 Sportsbet Hill Smith Stakes with 5 geldings, 2 colts and 3 fillies. Three runners had their last start in a BM 68 Handicap over 1600m at Morphettville on 5th October (won by Athanatos), while the rest all came through different races. Andrew Gluyas has 2 runners. Three runners are still maidens.

The early favourite is Goldrush Guru who who has been in the quinella at all 4 starts this preparation. Second favourite is Cavity Bay who didn’t disgrace herself when 8th in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes. Third favourite is Discreetly Blue who has placed at 2 of her 3 starts and finished 7th in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley last outing. Talisay has 2 wins and 2 places from her 8 starts. The rest of the runners are currently $15 or more.

1. Goldrush Guru (5)

One of 2 runners for Andrew Gluyas who won this race with Air Assault last year (his other runner is Wild Winner). Has been in the quinella at all 4 starts this preparation. Big chance.

2. Houdini (2)

Won over 1700m at Warrnambool in a maiden plate last start where he came from midfield and hit the line hard to get ahead in the final 50m.

3. The Daily Planet (9)

Broke his maiden at his 4th start winning by a narrow margin at Hamilton.

4. Darknconfidential (4)

Two starts back he won by over 4 lengths at Murray Bridge then didn’t come on in the straight at Morphettville last outing.

5. Reciprocal (7)

Still a maiden but has been runner-up at his last 2 starts at Bordertown then Gawler.

6. Discreetly Blue (8)

Has placed at 2 of her 3 starts and finished 7th in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley last outing.​

7. Cecchetti (1)

Flashed home to finish 0.2 length 3rd at Wangaratta last start which was only his 2nd race. Bred to stay. Don’t dismiss

8. Cavity Bay (10)

Didn’t disgrace herself when 8th in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes over 1600m at Flemington last start, and has a win and 3 places from 7 starts. Chance.​

9. Talisay (3)

Has 2 wins and 2 places from her 8 starts, with one of her wins at this track.

10. Wild Winner (6)

She has a win and 3 places from her 5 starts.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
1 Goldrush Guru
8 Cavity Bay
7 Cecchetti
6 Discreetly Blue

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Goldrush Guru
2nd	8 Cavity Bay	2.2 lengths
3rd	9 Talisay	2.7 lengths
4th	7 Cecchetti	4.8 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

There were no scratchings.