It was a tenacious performance from the Gary Moore-trained Classic Uniform at Royal Randwick on Epsom Handicap Day with the horse leading all-the-way to win the 2017 Hill Stakes thanks to a gun ride from Michael Walker.

Classic Uniform enjoyed a gutsy all-the-way win in the 2017 Hill Stakes at Royal Randwick on Epsom Handicap Day. Photo: Steve Hart.

Walker won the previous race after an on-speed Dulcify Handicap performance on Godolphin galloper Ataraxia and made it a double with an even more impressive ride in front on Classic Uniform in the Group 2 $500,000 Hill Stakes (1800m).

Best out of the gates, Al Maher five-year-old Classic Uniform hit the front early and retained that position throughout getting things his way up front.

No other jockeys were contesting for the lead and that allowed Walker to dictate the race, galloping along in front at a slow pace early before sprinting home with terrific late sectionals.

Also out well from the gates was the Chris Waller-trained favourite, the heavily-backed Mackintosh who ran third in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at the same meeting last Sydney Spring Racing Carnival.

Mackintosh was put on the bridle early, settling into second behind Classic Uniform who was really switched off up front getting away with the soft lead.

Bjorn Baker’s in-form High Chaparral six-year-old Embley, coming off back-to-back wins over the Randwick mile, scratched out of the Epsom Handicap field in favour of the Hill Stakes and got a lovely run in transit tucked away third on the fence.

Around the bend Mackintosh, ridden by Joao Moreira, looked to be travelling strongly digging up around the bend.

Once on the straight it was a matter of whether anything else in the race could chase down Classic Uniform, the favourite trying to bridge the gap.

Embley and jockey Jason Collett also gave chase, the gelding getting a shot at the title moving up to the leader and turning the race into a two-horse affair over the closing stages.

Walker wouldn’t let Classic Uniform ($7.50) stop however and held on for a gutsy neck win over Embley ($10), while the beaten favourite Mackintosh ($2.90) rounded out the Hill Stakes trifecta in a pretty disappointing third.

It was a total domination by the on-pace winner and a well-judged ride by Walker who made the move at the right time on the toughest horse in the race.

“All the credit to Mr Moore,” Walker said post-win.

“The horse gave me a beautiful ride. I just snuck away on them without them knowing.

“Geez he’s a tough horse.

“He gave me a really good kick and he was very tough. I could feel Embley coming and I could hear it coming and my horse did the same, because every time he heard it, he found a little bit more. It was a really good effort.”

While not officially nominated for any upcoming majors as yet, Moore is sure to find another suitable Group race over the spring for his Hill Stakes winner Classic Uniform.

To back Classic Uniform next race at the best odds head to Ladbrokes.com.au.

2017 Hill Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 4 – 30/09/2017