Ben, Will, and JD Hayes are looking for Killiana to bounce back with a strong showing in the VOBIS Gold Rush at Bendigo, as she returns to a shorter sprint distance.
After tiring late in the 1200m VOBIS Showdown at Caulfield, the filly now lines up over 1100m in Saturday’s feature VOBIS Gold Rush.
Lindsay Park won this race last year with Bold Bastille, who started favourite and proved too classy with a decisive win.
Ben Hayes is optimistic Killiana can deliver a similar result, though he’s mindful that drawing the widest barrier may present a challenge.
Bold Bastille brought plenty of form into the Gold Rush, including wins over future Group 1 winner Hayasugi and success in black-type races.
Killiana enters this year’s edition with only two starts to her name—a brilliant debut win at Bendigo followed by a credible fourth in the million-dollar VOBIS Showdown.
The team sharpened her up with an April 4 jump-out at Flemington, which she won impressively.
“She has trialled up since her last start and has gone extremely well,” Hayes said.
“I think stepping back 100 metres to the 1100 metres will be suitable and she has done really well in the stable.
“She had only won a maiden, and it was her second start running in The Showdown and I thought she ran well, but she just peaked on her run at the 1200 metres and she’s possibly a sharper horse, a bit like Bold Bastille was.
“I think the step back to 1100 metres, you will see a completely different horse, especially with the extra experience.”