Hill Starts Up Epsom Handicap 2011 Plans

August 1, 2011

Hill Starts Up Epsom Handicap 2011 Plans

Gold Coast-based trainer Bruce Hill is hoping to see good things from his promising gelding Startsmeup early this season, plans for a Sydney Spring Carnival raid targeting the 2011 Epsom Handicap on the agenda.

Startsmeup

Startsmeup could target Group 1 glory in both Sydney and Melbourne this spring

Danzero four-year-old Startsmeup has enjoyed a consistent career to date including their outstanding win at Doomben over the weekend, which has his trainer optimistic over finally preparing a Group 1 winner.

Last Saturday Startsmeup saluted for the punters with a smart one and a quarter length victory over Tierqualo in the Ownit Homes Open Handicap (1350m).

The victory took Startsmeup’s record to four wins and eight minor placings from 17 starts for close to $360,000 in prize money.

Other earlier eye-catching performances from the galloper included their huge four length win on debut at Doomben in December of 2009, from which they backed up with a third place finish to Military Rose in that year’s Listed BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m).

This year Startsmeup earned their first interstate assignment after running a close second to Torio’s Quest in the $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on the Gold Coast in January.

Hill took the then three-year-old to Sydney after their strong Magic Millions effort, the horse having three runs there including a narrow second to Bullbars in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in February.

Tested at elite level in March, Startsmeup finished a disappointing 10th beaten six lengths by winner Shamrocker in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington when marred by an awkward barrier 15 of 16 draw and racing over the mile for the first time.

After back-to-back barrier trial wins at the Gold Coast and Deagon in June and July, Startsmeup resumed with a hopeful second to the Robert Heathcote-trained Excellantes in the Jim Beam 3YO Handicap (1100m) at Doomben on July 16, a brave effort considering they had 59.5kg on their back and were forced to race wide throughout from a double-digit draw.

“He’s going terrific this campaign,” Hill said.

“I thought he ran a great race when he ran second first-up at Doomben last start when he was only half-ready.

“This horse had never had a decent spell until I took him away last spring when I left him down there (Sydney) with a mate of mine for a seven-week spell.”

Following their second-up success on Saturday, Hill believes Startsmeup could have what it takes to feature in the major races of the upcoming Sydney and Melbourne spring festivals including even the $500,000 Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 1.

“I’m going to sit down and work out a plan of attack,” Hill said.

“I don’t want to kill him too soon in his campaign but I’ll probably give him his next run over 1400 metres in Sydney and then another one over 1600 metres.

“After that he’ll go on to Melbourne for some of the better races over 1600 metres like the Toorak Handicap.”

The $350,000 Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) will run at Caulfield Racecourse on Caulfield Guineas Day 2011, Saturday October 8.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off