Hillier makes winning return on Gosford Gold Cup day

Promising three-year-old HILLIER made a winning return to the races on Saturday, taking out the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) in impressive style on Gosford Gold Cup Day.

Ridden by Nash Rawiller in the OTI Racing silks, the son of Zoustar jumped cleanly from barrier eight before settling in the rear half of the field. Travelling strongly throughout, he circled the field approaching the home turn and let down powerfully down the outside to score comfortably.

“It was nice to see he was relaxed and looked a bit more tractable,” Annabel Archibald told Sky Racing following the win. “I probably expected him to settle a bit closer, but the main thing was just to have him where he was happy, and he looked happy. Nash had a lap full of horse around the corner, so that'll do his confidence the world of good.”

“I think we could probably step him up to 1400 metres now. The plan was originally the Gold Coast Guineas into the Fred Best, so we've come to Gosford now and we may still head up north with him for the Fred Best, but we'll enjoy this one, and good effort with the big weight as well.”

Rawiller was equally impressed with the gelding’s return performance.

“I think a bit of time has certainly helped,” he said. “He had the form on the board and it’s great to see him come here today and do what he did. He's a very promising horse.”

A Group 3 placegetter on debut as a two-year-old, Hillier raced consistently at stakes level throughout his juvenile campaign, which included a dominant maiden victory at Newcastle. He returned in the spring to compete against some of the best colts of his generation, finishing fourth in the Listed Exford Plate, third in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes and a brave fifth in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas behind outstanding colt Autumn Boy.

Gelded between preparations, Saturday’s performance suggested the talented galloper has returned an improved horse, with connections now likely to target feature races during the Queensland Winter Carnival.

A $500,000 purchase from Segenhoe Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Hillier is the second winner from stakes-winning Pretty in Pink, a daughter of Sebring. The family also includes dual Cox Plate winner Fields Of Omagh and Group 1 winner The Mitigator.