Hill Stakes 2023 betting preview & top tips | Rosehill Gardens

What	Hill Stakes
Where	Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142
When	Saturday, October 7, 2023
Prizemoney	$2 million
Distance	1900m
Status	Group 2
Conditions	Weight For Age
2022 winner	Cascadian (1) \| T: James Cummings \| J: James McDonald (59kg)
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The Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) returns to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday afternoon with a massive field of 14 set to line up in the $2 million event.

Many differing form-lines converge in this race; however, two of the main lead-up events seemingly took place on the same day, as the 7 Stakes (1600m) and the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) make up a significant portion of the field engaged.

The rising prizemoney has produced a mouthwatering edition of the Hill Stakes and makes it a wide-open betting prospect for punters to sink their teeth into.

HILL STAKES 2023 ODDS

Five-time Group 1 winner Montefilia holds the call at +300 with most online bookmakers. After a minor drift, Hoo Ya Mal has shortened into +350, while the Kris Lees-trained Protagonist rounds out the single-figure chances at +700. Zeyrek (+900) leads the double-digit hopes, with Hinged (+1200) and Fireburn (+1300) not far behind. Melbourne raider Young Werther has seen plenty of early support, firming from +2500 into as short as +1500.

HILL STAKES 2023 SPEEDMAP

Don’t expect a charging of the light brigade, as there is a distinct shortage of on-speed gallopers in this field. Hinged has shown early speed in the past and could elect to dictate terms under Brett Prebble, provided nothing drawn inside barrier five wants to keep her out. Numerian has always shown early toe, so from barrier 15, Ryan Maloney may have no choice but to go and sit outside the lead. Hoo Ya Mal (6) will be more positive this time, while the likes of Protagonist (1), Montefilia (2) and Sky Lab (4) should be looking to drop in behind for some cover. The Chris Waller pair of No Compromise (16) and Magical Lagoon (9) will have no choice but to check back towards the rear from their awkward draws.

HILL STAKES 2023 FORM & BETTING PREVIEW

As Just Fine just broke the track record in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) last Saturday at Randwick, we’re trusting that’s the best form for the Hill Stakes. Protagonist closed off best in that race and looks ready to surge third-up over the Rosehill 1900m. He drew an awful barrier (11) in the Kingston Town Stakes and, despite a torrid run, accelerated through the line powerfully to finish less than three lengths away. He gets the economical run from barrier one this time and already has a win at this course and distance at Group 3 level, so he should be right in this.

Zeyrek comes through the 7 Stakes last start and was far from disgraced, finishing mid-field after facing the breeze for a large portion of the race. He won third-up last campaign at Rosehill in the Group 3 Sellwood Stakes (2000m), and with a similar setup on Saturday, Zeyrek will look the winner at some stage.

Sky Lab has snuck under the radar with a strong closing effort in the Kingston Town Stakes, where he finished off his race gamely after tracking wide throughout. The Paul Perry-trained galloper is ready to peak here, and given the massive odds on offer with the top betting sites, we must have something on.

Montefilia is the class of this field and warrants all the respect in the world. She’s a deserving favourite and, at her best, is the obvious danger.