Man Of His Word tackles the Hollindale Stakes on Saturday
Trainer Bruce Hill will finally get his wish to try Man Of His Word over a middle distance in top company when he tackles the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on Saturday.
Man Of His Word is a stakes race winner at 1600m but due to a combination of factors has had only one start further than the metric mile.
It was in an 1800m race at Randwick in Sydney last July when he struck trouble and ran fifth.
Queensland’s stakes class staying stocks have been decimated in recent weeks and Man Of His Word can step up to take their place with a good performance at the Gold Coast.
Man Of His Word will be one of two Queensland representatives in the Hollindale and probably also in the Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 19.
Hill is sure Man Of His Word won’t be out of place in Group Two and Group One company.
“I have said from his very early days that 1800 metres to 2000 metres is what he is looking for,” Hill said.
“But apart from that one run in Sydney where he got lost things haven’t fallen into place to run him over those distances.”
“For a start with Eagle Farm mainly out of commission there aren’t many 1800-metre races around.”
“He is well and has had three solid lead-up runs. We just want a reasonably dry track on Saturday and he will give them something to think about.”
Man Of His Word has a good record on his home track at the Gold Coast of two wins and a fourth from three runs.
“They were in restricted-class races and Saturday is a lot different. But we know he can handle the track which is a lot more than a few of them.”
Brad Stewart has ridden Man Of His Word in his three runs back from a spell and will stick with him on Saturday.
“He goes well for Brad and he is a horse which needs to be ridden to have the last crack at them,” Hill said.
