Hill Stakes – 2022

Track: Heavy   Weather: Showers Easing

Eight runners have accepted for the $1,000,000 Group 2 Hill Stakes and there has been one early scratching. All runners have just one entry each for the event.

Montefilia has opened as the early favourite at $2.00. She made a decent return in the George Main Stakes when finishing 2.5 lengths back in fourth behind Anaomoe. Out to 2000m suits her down to the ground and the step back in grade will have her primed and ready.

Cascadian is on the second line of betting at $3.30. He was 4.7 lengths off I’m Thunderstruck in the Makybe Diva Stakes last start when finishing fourth and the run prior when first up, he was a slashing 2.1 length third behind Snapdancer in the Memsie Stakes. His form leading into this is supreme.

Numerian is on the third line of betting at $4.60. He is coming into this second up on the back of a nice display behind Knights Order in the Chelmsford Stakes. He will be primed for the 2000m here from a nice draw.

1. Cascadian (8)

He was 4.7 lengths off I’m Thunderstruck in the Makybe Diva Stakes last start when finishing fourth and the run prior when first up, he was a slashing 2.1 length third behind Snapdancer in the Memsie Stakes. His form is very good and is a genuine weight-for-age contender. Has to deal with a poor draw but has James McDonald, so I am sure he will get a nice ride throughout.

2. Numerian (3)

Ran a solid second behind Knight’s Order in the Chelmsford Stakes on the bog track at Randwick. He is also entered for Flemington on the same day, so it will be interesting to see where they go, but this is very winnable for him but he probably prefers a dryer track.

3. Stockman (2)

SCRATCHED.

4. Yonkers (1)

7.6 length fifth first up over 1400m and now jumps sharply to 2000m second up. 2000m suits better but this early in the preparation is a query.

5. Elephant (6)

Form has been ordinary. Hard to have.

6. Luncies (4)

Superb first up over the unsuitable 1500m in the Cameron Hanicap. He finished second by the barest of margins to Wild Chap and will be looking for this distance now. He is entered for Flemington also and will probably head there given the forecast. Wherever he goes, he will be competitive.

7. Kiss The Bridge (7)

Will love the 2000m but this looks too hard.

8. Montefilia (5)

She was amazing first up when 2.5 lengths back in fourth in the George Main Stakes. She will improve lengths like she did last preparation when winning over this distance second up, and she could prove very hard to beat.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

The track was rated as Heavy 8.

Scratchings: 3. Stockman, 6. Luncies.