Rob Archibald is hoping a gelding operation and extended break has done the trick with talented three-year-old Hillier as he prepares for the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The son of Zoustar, a $500,000 purchase at the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale didn’t manage a win past maiden grade as a colt but was twice Group placed, with the decision made to geld him since running fifth to Autumn Boy in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Archibald, who trains in partnership with his wife Annabel (née Neasham), said Hiller had just taken a bit longer than planned to return to the races, resuming with a tough win in benchmark 78 company at Gosford.
“He’ll line up in the Fred Best,” Archibald said.
“He’s just taken a little while to get to the races, he just had a little foot issue that just held him back but we wanted to give him a chance in some of the better races over the Brisbane carnival.
“We’ve always liked him, he was gelded after his run in the Caulfield Guineas and had a long break, we’ll see how he goes in the Fred Best but there are plenty of other nice races for him.”
The Fred Best is a ‘win and you’re in’ race for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 13th, with key rivals such as Beadman, Grafterburners, Skyhook, Sixties and Wodeton all looking to secure their spot.
No three-year-old currently sits among the first 18 in the order of entry for the Stradbroke with Napoleonic highest at 24, who snuck into the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) field.
While Archibald would like to see Hillier have his shot in a Stradbroke, he conceded a start would be unlikely.
“It was a good win the other day at Gosford and hopefully he goes on with it,” Archibald said.
“He’s probably running out of time to put himself in a Stradbroke but there’ll be other races in store for him later in the campaign or next preparation.”