The Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday will be dominated by imported European stayers, with a number of Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup hopefuls included in the final field.
Beaten Up is one of several imported stayers that will contest the Group 2 Hill Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Daniel Costello
As has become the norm in big Sydney races Chris Waller will have a strong hand and has accepted with Beaten Up, Kelinni, Moriarty, Bayrir and Hawkspur.
All five of the leading trainers runners are backing up from the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1800m) at Royal Randwick a fortnight ago that was won in dominant fashion by 2013 Queensland Derby winner Hawkspur.
Hawkspur will relish the step back up to 2000 metres but is not certain to take part in the race as he was also included in the final field for the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m).
Beaten Up finished a strong second in the Chelmsford Stakes and will be Waller’s leading chance in the Hill Stakes if Hawkspur is withdrawn from the race.
The Beat Hollow gelding has improved in both starts this campaign and generally races better the further he gets into his campaign, with the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) set to be his major 2013 Spring Racing Carnival goal.
Also backing up from the Chelmsford Stakes will be Gai Waterhouse-trained Glencadam Gold and imported Italian stayer Sneak A Peek who indicated that he could be a major player during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival with his impressive fifth place finish in the race.
Lloyd Williams-owned Masked Marvel is set to race in Sydney for the first time as he works towards the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) that will be run at Royal Randwick on October 5 (2400m).
The Montjeu gelding won the 2011 Group 1 St Leger Stakes (2937m) and was placed in the 2012 Group 1 Coronation Cup (2423m) in Europe but struggled in his Australian racing debut, finishing at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
Veteran stayer Ironstein was included in the acceptances but will not take part in the race if he contests the Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) on Thursday, while the final field is rounded out by Pelicano, Darci Be Good and Kingdoms.
