TALENTED three-year-old pacer Hillview Jake tuned up for the Tasmanian Derby with an effortless win in the Neil Pitt Stakes in Launceston on Sunday night.
With Ricky Duggan aboard, the Paul Hill-trained gelding cruised to the lead after travelling less than a lap and proceeded to give his rivals a pacing lesson as he powered his way to a 7-1/2 metre victory over The Badlands with Campaign Drive three metres away third.
The win came on the back of a luckless second in Hobart a week earlier in which he almost fell at the start.
A horse on the front line (The Badlands) galloped as the starter released the field and Hillview Jake (Cardmaster Hanover-Evening Muck Up) ran into the back of him and almost came down.
But he recovered and hit the front turning for home only to be run down by Grinable over the final 100 metres.
Hill was thrilled with Hillview Jake’s performance on Sunday night.
“I needed to take him to Launceston to make sure he wasn’t suffering any mental issues after what happened to him in Hobart but he showed no signs of nervousness at the start so that was good.” Hill said.
“I told Ricky (Duggan) I didn’t mind if he faced the breeze and if the pace was slow then attack for the lead and that’s what eventuated.
“He’s gone 2.01 (mile rate) without Ricky having to pull the (ear) plugs so that’s also encouraging given how easily he won the race.
“I couldn’t be any happier with him going into the Derby and while there are a couple of good local hopes likely to be in it and no doubt a strong interstate contingent, I wouldn’t swap my horse for any other,” he said.
The Tasmanian Derby will be run at the UBET Racing Centre on April 10.