Hill Stakes – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Tricky race to sort. Montefilia goes right in the mix on best form. Hoo Ya Mal had no luck last run and is suited to this field. Protagonist should be ready to peak and gets the services of young gun Dylan Gibbons. Zeyrek should be around the mark and maps well from the draw. Hinged is yet to show much this prep but should give this race a shake. Fireburn rounds out the chances and will be hitting the line hard.

Four runners had their lead-up race in the 7 Stakes over 1600m at Randwick on 16 September, three in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap over 1500m at Newcastle on 15th September and three in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes on 16th September.

1. Numerian (15)

Can show up in this fresh and looks well poised against this lot. Ran 2nd in this race last year. Tough draw but with a good ride it can take this out.

2. Zeyrek (7)

Likeable last start behind some handy gallopers. Berry has options from the low draw and this race is within reach.

3. Young Werther (14)

Too hard to catch. In a purple vein of form but looks outclassed in this.

4. Luncies (3)

Mixing form but its best can take this out. Maps well with Clark in the saddle. This race is within reach.

5. No Compromise (16)

Can’t have.

6. Protagonist (1)

Racing well and can peak in this. Needs a good ride from barrier 1 with its pattern but this looks a suitable race. Worth keeping very safe in this field and the ground gun Gibbons does the steering.

7. Hoo Ya Mal (6)

No luck last run and has been smacked in betting. Drawn to get more air this time around with the in form jockey steering. Hard to beat.

8. Sky Lab (4)

Getting hard to catch but absolutely capable of taking out a race of this depth. Drawn well and looks up to these.

9. Hosier (8)

Racing well but faces a tricky task here. Can’t have.

10. Mount Popa (10)

Can’t have.

11. Montefilia (2)

Ran 3rd in this race last year. Maps kindly and faces a suitable opportunity. Should be hitting the line hard and best form is better than these. Respect the market moves for it.

12. Hinged (5)

Yet to find form this prep. Best is more than good enough and proven above this level so keep an eye on any market moves. Can win and aided by the handy draw.

13. Magical Lagoon (9)

Can’t have.

14. Fireburn (11)

Will be hitting the line hard and has the turn of foot to win this race. Solid chance in a very open affair.

15e. Hezashocka (12)

This looks too tough.

16e. Ironclad (13)

Can’t have.

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

Bryce Parker’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
11 Montefilia	11 Montefilia
7 Hoo Ya Mal	3 Young Werther
8 Sky Lab	7 Hoo Ya Mal
2 Zeyrek	2 Zeyrek

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	11 Montefilia
2nd	7 Hoo Ya Mal	0.52 length
3rd	6 Protagonist	0.87 length
4th	2 Zeyrek	1.94 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 15e. Hezashocka, 16e. Ironclad.