A lucrative $2 million Group 2 heads the racing action at Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens on Saturday and betting on the 2024 Hill Stakes is a tight affair currently led by the in-form Royal Patronage.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained French import has been excellent down under and looks a genuine hope over the 2000m fourth-up and fit off some strong form races.
A Group 2 Tramway Stakes winner fresh down under at Randwick defeating Amelia’s Jewel, Royal Patronage subsequently went on to run third in both the $1 million 7 Stakes and last weekend’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap.
He was brave with 56.5k from barrier 17 in the Epsom over the famous Randwick mile and should appreciate a better gate up in distance with Tim Clark riding this weekend.
The latest Hill Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Royal Patronage as the narrow $3.60 favourite with three of his rivals also at single figures in the current markets.
The immediate danger at $4.20 is the James Cummings-trained Pericles who was scratched from Melbourne’s Toorak Handicap in favour of this richer Sydney weight-for-age showdown.
The consistent son of Street Boss is drawn a dream in gate four for Nash Rawiller and comes off a string of good lead-up runs including a last start third to Buckaroo in Caulfield’s Group 3 Underwood Stakes (1800m).
Chris Waller saddles up the early Hill Stakes market mover Kovalica from gate two with apprentice Zac Lloyd, riding in outstanding form this season, a plus in the saddle on the $5 third elect,
Kovalica is third-up and fit with the son of Ocean Park third in the Tramway before a good Epsom fourth only two lengths off the winner Ceolwulf.
Waller has dominated the Hill Stakes results in recent history having prepared six winners in the past 11 years including Montefilia last year.
The master Sydney-based trainer launches a two-pronged attack on this year’s Hill Stakes field also saddling-up his Group 1 winning mare Hinged ($21) wider out with Tommy Berry riding.
The 2024 Hill Stakes is scheduled to run as Rosehill Race 7 at 4:10pm (AEDT).
Hill Stakes 2024 Odds & Results
Toyota Forklifts Hill Stakes (G2)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
3. Attrition (9)
J: Beau Mertens 59kg
T: Mitchell Freedman |
||
|
2nd
4. Kovalica (2)
J: Zac Lloyd 59kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
3rd
2. Royal Patronage (8)
J: Tim Clark 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
|
4th
1. Pericles (3)
J: Nash Rawiller 59kg
T: James Cummings |
||
|
5th
5. Nonconformist (4)
J: Harry Coffey 59kg
T: Grahame Begg |
||
|
6th
6. Golden Path (5)
J: Chad Schofield 59kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
||
|
7th
7. New Endeavour (7)
J: Adam Hyeronimus 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
||
|
8th
10. Navajo Peak (1)
J: Kerrin McEvoy 59kg
T: David Payne |
||
|
9th
11. Stockman (6)
J: Reece Jones 59kg
T: Joseph Pride |
Data retrieved: 31/12/2024 12:53:39 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
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