Killiana to bounce back in VOBIS Gold Rush

Killiana will get a second chance to showcase her talents this Saturday, as Lindsay Park shifts her back in distance for the VOBIS Gold Rush at Bendigo.

The filly was favoured in the VOBIS Showdown at Caulfield but faded late over the 1200m trip. Now, she returns to 1100m—a distance the stable believes suits her better—for the VOBIS Gold Rush.

The Hayes brothers won the same race last year with Bold Bastille, and they hope Killiana can follow a similar path despite drawing wide in a competitive field.

Bold Bastille came into the Gold Rush with a glowing résumé, including a debut win over Hayasugi and back-to-back stakes victories.

Killiana’s résumé includes a sparkling debut win at Bendigo by over four lengths and a game fourth in the $1 million VOBIS Showdown.

To fine-tune her ahead of Bendigo, Killiana took out a Flemington jump-out on April 4 in strong style.

“She has trialled up since her last start and has gone extremely well,” Hayes said.

“I think stepping back 100 metres to the 1100 metres will be suitable and she has done really well in the stable.

“She had only won a maiden, and it was her second start running in The Showdown and I thought she ran well, but she just peaked on her run at the 1200 metres and she’s possibly a sharper horse, a bit like Bold Bastille was.

“I think the step back to 1100 metres, you will see a completely different horse, especially with the extra experience.”