By Jonny Turner
Max Hill can complete a frustrating journey back to the winner’s circle at Wyndham on Saturday.
The junior driver returned to the sulky recently after a rugby injury had him on the sidelines over the past two months.
Hill showed he hadn’t lost his touch with two second placings at Ascot Park last weekend.
“It was a long eight or nine eight weeks out, but we are healthy now and it is great to be back out there.”
It hasn’t taken the reinsman long to link up with a few quality drives, judging by his book on Saturday.
“Ross and Chris Wilson have always been very good to me, I am very lucky there,” Hill said.
“And Ricky Gutsell has given me a great go and I was thrilled to be able to get a second for him last week.”
The Ross and Chris Wilson trained Brookies Player will start in race 4, the Icon Mobile Pace, and is the clear top pick among Hill’s book of three drives at Saturday’s Forbury Park Trotting Club meeting.
The pacer produced an outstanding second at Ascot Park last week when sitting parked throughout and fighting on gamely.
“It was a great run last week,” Hill said.
“The field this week doesn’t look as strong and over a mile he should go a pretty good race.”
“He looks a good chance.”
Hill also links up with the Wilson trained Robyns Hustler in race 3, the Margaret Dynes and Dr Angela McEwan Mobile Pace.
The pacer never got clear air in his last outing at Ascot Park, running an unlucky 8th.
“He was unlucky, I might have pulled the wrong rein at the 400m, and he might have been better sticking to the fence.”
“He is on the unruly at the moment which is his only struggle.”
“He had been racing well before that and he paced well last start, so he’s a chance.”
Hill will also combine with the Brent and Tim White trained KD Royalty in race 5, the Wyndham Harness Racing Club Handicap Trot.
The trotter will debut for the Whites after previously campaigning in the North Island.
KD Royalty has had one trial since heading south, running on late in a hit-out at Ashburton.
“She did look sharp in her trial,” Hill said.
“The Whites do a great job with them and I am sure they will have her ready to run a nice race.”
Hill’s employer Craig Ferguson also looks a key player at Saturday’s Forbury Park meeting on Saturday.
The trainer will start key chances Rollon Summer and Zeke, who both step out on their home track following excellent last start wins.
