WHEN star two-year-old pacer Hillview Jake led throughout to win the $30,000 Dandy Parch final at UBET Park Hobart last night it delivered veteran trainer Paul Hill his greatest night in racing.
Earlier in the night Hill prepared the winner of the Evicus Stakes Chica Bella.
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” Hill said as he brushed tears of joy from his eyes.
Hillview Jake had his colours lowered by Origin Cronk in the Dandy Parch Prelude 13 nights earlier but with ace Victorian reinsman Gavin Lang back in then sulky Hillview Jake delivered a brilliant performance to defeat Origin Cronk comfortably with Riley major flashing home for third.
Lang had Hillview Jake travelling in his comfort zone and when he let him rip turning for home he sped clear and had plenty in reserve on the line and well clear of Origin Cronk and Riley Major.
Hillview Jake clocked a mile rate of two minutes but ran home his last half (800m) in a slick 56.9 seconds.
“This is definitely my best ever night at the races,” Hill said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Hillview Jake and Chica Bella but for this horse (Hillview Jake) to deliver that sort of performance against high quality opposition speaks volumes for his ability,” he said.
Like Chica Bella, Hillview Jake was beaten at his previous start, going down to Origin Cronk in the Dandy Parch Prelude.
“From the pole position I knew he would lead barring accidents and that’s how it panned out but to run home his last half in 56.9 is sensational and he is only going to get better with age,” he said.
Hill confirmed Hillview Jake would have one more start before being spelled while his filly Chica Bella was to be sent to the spelling paddock this week.
Both two-year-olds are owned and raced by the trainer’s wife Julie, Hill’s brother Robert and the trainer’s son Scott who travelled from Western Australia to see the horses contest their finals.