TASMANIAN harness racing trainer Paul Hill is hoping to walk away from Sunday night’s harness meeting at UBET Park Hobart with wins on both divisions of the 2YO Sweepstakes over 1609m.
Paul Hill will be relying on top Victorian reinsman Gavin Lang to weave a bit of his magic to guide Hillview Jake to victory in the colts and geldings division and Chica Bella to emerge triumphant in the fillies’ division with Ricky Duggan in the cart.
Hillview Jake has drawn awkwardly in barrier 10 on the second line but Lang has already had success with Hillview Jake having driven him to victory in the Golden Slipper in Launceston two starts back.
Hillview Jake’s main danger appears to be Ryley Major that finished third in their Sweepstakes heat two weeks ago in which Pockets of Courage from the Steve Lukac stable split the pair.
Ryley Major faced the breeze outside of Hillview Jake last start and dropped off on the home turn but his trainer-driver Rohan Hillier reported that the youngster “touched his knee” but got going again in the home straight.
Chica Bella won the Sweepstakes fillies’ prelude two weeks ago with Ricky Duggan aboard and despite drawing barrier six near the outside of the front row in tonight’s final she remains the likely favourite.
Hill also prepares Scorchin Safari that has drawn gate three and she will be driven by Lang.
The Rodney Ashwood-trained Shadow Blue was second to Chica Bella on debut so she should make her presence felt from barrier two and The Steve Lukac-trained Angelina Rainbow also has good enough form to at least fill a place.
The other feature race on the card is the Ascot Gold Cup n which Motu Crusader faces a 30-metre handicap with all other runners off the front.
Listen to what trainer Paul Hill had to say about the chances of Hillview Jake and Chica Bella and Scorchin Safari in their respective 2YO Sweepstakes finals.