Jill Primed For Nationals Return

AFTER almost three months on the sidelines, champion female sprinter Up Hill Jill returns to the racetrack in heat four of the Victorian State Sprint Series at Sandown Park this Thursday night.

The daughter of Premier Fantasy and Where's Demonica cracked a metatarsal bone while preparing for the Sapphire Crown Series in May, but makes her long-awaited return after running second in the Group 3 Ladies Bracelet in early May.

Although her preparation for this series isn't ideal, trainer Dave Geall announced that his star chaser will enjoy getting back to racing at a competitive level after such a long lay-off.

"The series is probably about 10 days too close for us, but it's great to have her back racing. If we can lead she's a chance despite being a bit underdone, so hopefully she can progress to the State final the week after," said Geall, who announced that the black chaser's trial form has been mixed.

"She doesn't always trial well on her own but when we brought her back she put in some ripper trials, which was pleasing. She hasn't gone that well in her last two trials, but that is more the norm with her as she's never really been a fast trial dog. |

"I'm sure she knows she's simply in a trial by herself because she performs so much better in races… she's an incredibly competitive animal," added Geall, who says this Thursday's draw of four isn't necessarily bad for the two-time Group 1 winner.

"I think the draw is fine. Alpha Georgio (box one) is a consistent beginner, Orson Allen (box two) is a very good dog and Not Available (box eight) is well drawn so it will certainly test her, but if she steps cleanly she should be able to find the front. The last 50 metres will be the issue," said Geall, who explained the decision behind leaving Group 1 star My Redeemer – a last start 34.11 winner at Sandown Park – out of the Nationals series.
"We're trying to get his confidence back a little so we chose to bypass the Nationals with My Redeemer and concentrate on age-restricted races like the Warragul St Leger, which is coming up soon."

The winner and runner up in the Sprint heats will progress to the Victorian final.

The winner and runner-up from the State final will represent ‘The Big V' at the National Sprint Championship, which will be run at Sandown Park on Friday, August 24.

HEAT 1

Australian Cup winner Hecton Bale (box two) looks to have drawn well in the first of the qualifiers. The son of Fernando Bale and Searle Bale will be looking to stop a five-race losing streak after a fantastic 29.34 win at Sandown on June 7. He takes on the in-form Waleonjon (box four), brilliant chaser Big Flood (box eight) and Group 1 Sapphire Crown winner Elevated (box seven).

HEAT 2

One of the hottest races you'll see. Poke The Bear (box one) is fresh off an easy 25.34 win at Ballarat and has run an incredible 29.46 and 29.70 at The Meadows in his last two exits off the red. He will face off against Group 1 Harrison-Dawson runner-up Bernardo, who continued his white-hot form with a win at The Meadows last start, and recent Group 1 Maturity winner Dyna Patty (box six), who passed the $200,000 mark from just 22 race starts after her dominant victory over the weekend.

HEAT 3

Striker Light recorded the 30th win of her career with a 29.48 win at Sandown last start, and she'll jump from box seven in another fantastic heat. The black flash will go up against Fernando Express (box five), who broke the track record at Geelong last start, running a superb 29.52. Hasten Slowly (box one), who is a recent Group 1 runner-up when finishing second to Jury in the Winter Cup, and emerging young star Dyna Hunter – a half brother to former champ Dyna Double One.

HEAT 4

Up Hill Jill returns after an injury-enforced lay-off that has seen her miss racing in the months of June and July. Her first start back won't be easy, racing against Group 1 Maturity runner-up Orson Allen (box two), the in-form Zipping Captain (box five) and top-class galloper Not Available (box eight), who raced brilliantly in a recent stint in Queensland.