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.”
More Racing News
McDonald Triumphs in JJ Atkins Stakes, Sets New Group 1 Record
A champion indeed, Tron Bolt, under the expert handling of James McDonald, clinched victory in the prestigious Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm. In doing so, McDonald etched his name in the record books, surpassing Malcolm Johnston's long-standing mark for group one wins in a single Australian...
Taylor Marshall celebrates maiden Group One win in Stradbroke Handicap
In a memorable moment, Taylor Marshall has secured his inaugural Group One victory in Queensland's most prestigious race, the Stradbroke Handicap, echoing his late father John Marshall's success nearly four decades prior.Piloting the Toby Edmonds-trained Spicy Martini ($13), Marshall steered the mare to a gripping triumph in the $3 million...
Straand Deal Maintains Winning Form
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell is contemplating a northern campaign or a spell for Straand Deal to prepare for the spring, after the gelding achieved his third straight win at Sandown.The gelding's triumph in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap over 2400m on Saturday was his first at the distance, following earlier...
Thebudgiesmugla's perfect 2400m record continues with Rosehill win
Emerging staying prospect Thebudgiesmugla has vindicated the decision to forgo the Brisbane Cup in favour of a Listed race at Rosehill, maintaining its unblemished record over 2400 metres.Trainer Bjorn Baker, currently overseas to oversee the Royal Ascot campaign of sprinter Overpass, opted for Saturday's The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m)...
Coeur Volante finds winning form again at Sandown
The decision to recommence training for Coeur Volante has yielded positive results, with the mare emerging victorious at Sandown.Her triumph in the IVE> Handicap (1400m) on Wednesday represented her second start for her new custodians, who secured her for $500,000 last spring via Widden Stud and Bangaloe Stud.Coeur Volante had...
Nobler impressing with third consecutive win
A narrow victory and a protest challenge couldn't deter Nobler from claiming his third straight win at Rosehill, signalling his emergence as a promising galloper.The former Irish gelding, who debuted locally in March, has now achieved a remarkable hat-trick, adding the Ranvet Handicap (2000m) on Saturday to his previous mile...
Mbube justifies market confidence with impressive Sandown debut win
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell is already setting his sights on a major Melbourne Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds following the debut victory of Mbube.The two-year-old son of Rubick attracted significant support in the betting ring for the Sportsbet Fast Form Handicap (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday. Kennewell confirmed the colt would...
Marwooba's late entry pays dividends for Hawkes Racing
With a touch of humour, Dylan Gibbons acknowledged that jockey Tyler Schiller deserved a share of his riding remuneration after piloting the Hawkes Racing colt Marwooba to victory in the day's first race at Rosehill.The two-year-old was backing up from a sixth-place finish over 1250m at Canterbury on Monday, with...
Simurgh's winning form to be tested at Sandown
Trainer J D Hayes has noted that the emerging stayer Simurgh is an uncomplicated horse and is expected to continue progressing through his racing classes.With three wins from six career starts, including a consecutive pair of victories, Simurgh is slated to attempt an extension of his winning streak in the...
Storm Season set for Sandown return after injury layoff
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr's stable has made the decision to commence Storm Season's campaign in Melbourne.The mare was entered for the Petaluma Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday, however, the training partnership elected to instead run her in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m) at Sandown.Storm Season, a...