Tumut trainer Kerry Weir will make a rare trip to town on Saturday, with up-and-coming galloper Laurel Hill set to contest the $120,000 Class Two Highway Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick.
The last time Weir ventured to Sydney for a Highway, he was racing Jounama, which finished third and sixth in two tries at Royal Randwick in July 2018.
Laurel Hill – a three-year-old by Smart Missile and out of Premier’s Gift – is a consistent type, starting nine times for one win and six minor placings.
“She’s earned a crack at it,” Weir said.
“She’s got to step up in grade again, but there’s only one way to find out if she is up to it.”
Laurel Hill won her maiden over 1065m at Wagga in December but has since raced without luck.
At her previous three starts at Wagga, she finished in the money but has been unable to bring up her second career victory.
On Wagga Gold Cup day in early May, she ran third over 1200m, beaten just over a length by recent Sydney winner Acapella Sun.
After a four-week freshen-up, she finished second to Kaurava over 1200m, this time beaten just over half a length.
Most recently, Laurel Hill raced on June 13, and over 1300m, she flashed from last to finish third, beaten a long-neck by Allabouttroy in heavy 10 conditions.
“She probably should have won her last three starts,” Weir lamented.
“Back three starts ago on Wagga Cup day, the thing (Accapella Sun) that won the Highway on Saturday only just beat us, and we got held up for a run that day.
“Then we went to Wagga, and again, we were beaten by a bee’s doodle, and we got held up.
“Last start at Wagga, it was heavy, and with the wide draw, she got way back but made up however many lengths she did, and there wasn’t many getting home like her on the day.”
Weir doesn’t head to Sydney often, but when he does, it’s generally a sign he likes his chances.
“It’s good to go down and have a legitimate chance,” Weir said.
“We’re not making up the numbers, and I don’t believe in doing that, and I think she’s a genuine chance.”
The Groves family are big supporters of the Weir stable and have drawn gate eight with Laurel Hill, while regular jockey Kayla Nisbet has kept the ride.
“She is a very quirky horse to ride, and I wouldn’t have gone if Kayla couldn’t ride her,” Weir said.
“I asked her, and she jumped at it, and that’s good because she’s a handful and a hard horse to ride.”
Weir’s stable has long been a presence in the Southern Districts, and the former jockey has always had a good horse in his stable, enjoying a lot of country cup success with the likes of Sand Dune, Bondo, Tea Clipper, and the ever-consistent Universal Pack.
Nowadays, he has many youngsters coming through, with Laurel Hill the headline act, while in recent weeks, Red Hill has won at Narrandera, and Cracker Dance popped up for an excellent victory at Wagga.
“It’s a lot more about the young ones this year, and all our old horses are gone, and we had all those two-year-olds come in,” Weir said.
“We’ve got Laurel Hill racing in town, Red Hill is a last-start winner, and that grey thing (Cracker Dance) of ours was a nice winner at Wagga the other day.
“I’ve got a half dozen breakers and pre-trainers, which keeps us busy.”
Weir could very well be in for a big weekend, with a good team entered to race at Gundagai on Sunday.
Red Hill and Cracker Dance, along with first starter Snicon and the lightly-raced Lightening Blaze, have been entered.
For Royal Randwick fields, click here.
For Gundagai nominations, click here.
