Hills Railway Stakes – 2022

Track: Soft   Weather: Cloudy

Following the early scratching of Trip, there are 15 runners remaining for the $127,250 Hills Railway Stakes with eight mares and seven geldings. There are 7 four-year-olds, 1 five-year-old, 3 six-year-olds, 3 seven-year-olds and an eight-year-old. Five of the runners had their last start in the Listed Manihi Classic over 1100m at Morphettville on 2 April and two in a 1000m BM 86 Handicap at Morphettville Parks on 19 March. The rest came through different races and three runner are first-up from a spell. David Jolly is the only trainer with two runners.

The early favourite is Rock The Ring who resumed from a spell for 1.2 lengths 2nd in the Manihi Classic and generally improves second-up. Second favourite is All Banter who was a 0.5 length winner over 1000m at Morphettville Parks last outing. Third in the market is Larimer Street who was a 2 length winner at Murray Bridge before 3.2 lengths 6th in the Listed Matrice Stakes last start.

Extra Time came from last for 3.8 lengths 8th in the Manihi Classic. Gaze Grise ran on strongly and drew clear for a 1.4 length win over 1050m at Morphettville on 2 April, while Heka Express came from 10th for 2 lengths 4th in the Manihi Classic. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. All Banter

This four-year-old I’m All the Talk mare was a 0.5 length winner over 1000m at Morphettville Parks last outing and has six wins and three places from 13 starts. She is trained by Richard & Chantelle Jolly and Richard has won this race before with Oahu in 2006 and Very Discreet in 2010. One of the main chances.

2. Bold Star

Has finished well back in the field at this last 4 starts but did win at his only previous race at this track. Drawn the widest barrier. Looking to others.

3. Rock The Ring

He resumed from a spell for 1.2 lengths 2nd in the Manihi Classic and generally improves second-up. Has six wins and six places from 19 starts with a great record at this distance. Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy. Tony won with Despatch in 2019 and jockey Barend Vorster also won aboard Despatch. Should fight out the finish.

4. Magna Bella

One of two runners sired by Magnus (the other is Star Hills). At the end of last campaign this six-year-old mare finished 4.7 lengths 15th in the Listed City Of Marion Stakes, then was spelled. Resumes here after 20 weeks and has drawn barrier 1. Goes well fresh and could sneak into a place.

5. Heka Express

This five-year-old Starspangledbanner mare came from 10th for 2 lengths 4th in the Manihi Classic. That was an eye-catching run and she can place here.

6. Noir De Rue

Resumes from a 21 week spell and placed in a recent Morphettville Parks trial. This seven-year-old Blackfriars gelding has won over distances from 1200m to 2200m, so this looks too short.

7. Extra Time

Came from last for 3.8 lengths 8th in the Manihi Classic when resuming. Has a poor second-up record. Looking elsewhere.

8. Spanish Heirloom

One of two runners sired by Barbados (the other is Centrefield). She was slowly away before finishing 3.2 lengths 7th in the Manihi Classic. Talented sprinter who could place.

9. Star Hills

This seven-year-old has won 10 of his 33 starts, all from 1000m to 1100m. Handles soft going. Not the worst.

10. Lady Dunmore

Phillip Stokes trains this Wandjina mare who has won seven of her 21 starts. She has won three of her last five starts and is in the mix.

11. Larimer Street

One of two runners for David Jolly. He was a 2 length winner at Murray Bridge before 3.2 lengths 6th in the Listed Matrice Stakes last start. David Jolly has trained the winner of this race multiple times with The Chunkster (2008), Tramuntana (2009), Cornelia Marie (2011), Basil Da Man (2012) and Streetcar Isabelle (2015). Jockey Justin Potter has also won before aboard Cornelia Marie and Basil Da Man. Should run well.

12. Trip  – SCRATCHED

13. Centrefield

This seven-year-old Barbados mare led throughout for a huge 5.8 length win over 1210m at Port Lincoln last outing.Not sure how the Port Lincoln form will hold up here.

14. Street Life

Won this race last year and is the oldest runner this year as an eight-year-old. Trainer Karen Byrnes and Emily Finnegan  (who also rode him last year) are hoping for back-to-back wins. Prefer others.

15. Gaze Grise

One of the David Jolly runners. ran on strongly and drew clear for a 1.4 length win over 1050m at Morphettville on 2 April, Outside hope.

16. Jaamint

Not here.

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

Jo’s Tips
1 All Banter
3 Rock The Ring
11 Larimer Street
5 Heka Express