Hill Stakes perfect challenge for Zeyrek

A brace of promising performances over unsuitable trips has Zeyrek on target to underline his claims for a Victorian venture when he gets to his preferred distance range in the Hill Stakes.

The gelding has been valiant in his two return runs, sticking to his task when fourth to Pericles in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) and again when fifth to Think It Over in the 7 Stakes (1600m).

A third-up winner over a similar course and distance in the autumn, Zeyrek is giving co-trainer Michael Hawkes every indication he can repeat that feat in the weight-for-age Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

“It looks a nice race – 1900 metres, home track, third-up,” Hawkes said.

“First-up he sprinted well, and second-up he hit the line well, but he’s a 2000 metre horse.

“I thought he would be hard to beat.”

Zeyrek lost form last spring but has been back to his best this year, winning twice in the autumn and finishing on the heels of Group 1 performers Zaaki and Huetor in the Hollindale Stakes during the Brisbane carnival.

The Hawkes Racing team haven’t nailed down a specific target for him this time in but a competitive run on Saturday could earn him a trip south.

“He’s in the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup but we’re just taking it one step at a time,” Michael Hawkes said.

“His last prep was great, this prep has been good so far. There is no real end goal, we’re just trying to pick one up on the way through.”

Stablemate Mount Poppa will also take his place in the Hill Stakes after resuming with a solid midfield effort in the Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle.

While most of his best performances have been on rain-affected tracks, he has only missed a place twice in seven second-up runs and Hawkes won’t be surprised to see the $71 chance turn in a cheeky effort.

“He’s looking for 2000, albeit it’s 1900, although maybe weight-for-age will find him out a touch, I do think he’s more of a handicapper in that sense,” he said.

“But he’s really well and second-up, he performs.”

Zeyrek was an $8.50 chance with Dabble on Thursday with markets headed by multiple Group 1 winner Montefilia at $3.80.

The latter will be striving to become just the fifth mare to win in the past 30 years after Verry Elleegant (2019), Miss Marielle (2009), Mulan Princess (2001) and Slight Chance (1994).