One to Watch – Hawkesbury

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday June 17

Bjorn Baker already has a ripping All Too Hard filly in the stable in dual Group I winner Stefi Magnetica and he may have another nice one in Horseshoe Hill.

Third on debut last year in the Listed Wyong 2YO Classic to O’Ole and Memo, Horseshoe Hill was spelled subsequently and has been impressing at the trials in recent weeks in preparation for her return.

Sent out a raging hot favourite in a small field of five for the 1100m maiden at Hawkesbury, Horseshoe Hill was given a patient ride by Rachel King and let down with a brilliant turn of foot in the straight.

Advertisement

She surged up out wide and looked as though she would win easily, but runner-up Vanlee stuck to her guns and the pair dropped their rivals kicking away from them by six lengths with the favourite scoring a by a short neck.

They broke 33 for the last 600m clocking 32.9 seconds for their last split offering a clear indicator that both will be effective in better company.

Stable representative Luke Hilton was pleased for Horseshoe Hill to break the ice with spring plans for the talented filly.

“She's done a good job and she's only going to improve I think as she gets out over further,” said Hilton.

“When Rachel went for her, you're thinking you can get her now and she went bang, but then she had to tough it out with the other one and she had to keep finding.

“She'll learn a bit more and she had a good experience today; she's had a lovely run in the race and she's away now.”

Rachel King ride Horseshoe Hill on debut last year and has been on her at the trials so knows her well.

“She's still a big baby. Look, she's obviously only had that one start and she didn't get around the corner great then and she didn't get around it great again today, so it just took a bit of time to balance and change leads,” said King.

“I felt like I had three or four lengths up my sleeve, but I just couldn't quite find them today, but I think it's there.

“The fact that she was able to do that today was a good move by the team to bring her here so she could afford to do it a little bit wrong and still get away with the win because, like I said, she's very green and she's still learning.”

Horseshoe Hill was a $200,000 Magic Millions purchase.

A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase from Widden Stud for Bjorn Baker Racing/Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd (FBAA)/Cunningham Thoroughbreds, Horseshoe Hill was bred by Barry McRostie is the second winner from Group II winning Encosta de Lago mare Miss Rose de Lago.

Strong and athletic with good sized and scope, Horseshoe Hill was the highest priced filly by All Too Hard sold in 2024.

Widden Stud sold a yearling colt by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) from Miss Rose de Lago at Inglis Premier for $220,000.

Miss Rose De Lago was covered last spring by Trapeze Artist after missing to him the year before.

Advertisment

Race Result - Godolphin Family Funday 20 July Mdn Plate 1100m

Hawkesbury Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:04.29
1
Horseshoe Hill
- 2f All Too Hard (AUS) x Miss Rose De Lago (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 55
2
0.3
Vanlee
- 3f Vancouver (AUS) x Strykinglee (AUS) (Stryker (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: A Hyeronimus 57
3
6.3
Sheeza Tricka
- 3f Widden Valley (AUS) x Final Trick (AUS) (Ad Valorem (USA))
Tnr: M & D Kearney Rdr: Ms W Costin 57
4
9.5
Land Speed
- 3g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Whispered Secret (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Bryce Heys Rdr: K S Latham 59
5
13.3
Racy Time
- 2f Time To Reign (AUS) x Racy (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Blake Ryan Rdr: J Ford 55
More Reading...
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
New Star for Hellbent – Savvy Hallie Wins G2 Silver Shadow
Yarraman Park’s Hellbent has made his name with brilliant Group I winning mares Magic Time and Benedetta with exciting filly Savvy Hallie adding her name his list of stakes-winners with a stylish victory in the Group II ATC Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.