Perth Cup On Radar For Easter Egg Champion
3 April, 2018
Greyhound
Trainer David Geall says Perth remains the preferred option for his Victorian chaser Up Hill Joy after she landed her second Group 1 success in Sydney on Saturday.
Geall says Up Hill Jill, who got up in the last stride to defeat Striker Light in the Golden Easter Egg (520m) at Wentworth Park, will target the Perth Cup at Cannington.
“It’s 60-40 we will go,” Geall told Tabradio’s The Sports Daily.
“It’s on the radar, but we just have to arrange a few things.
“We probably won’t get there to race her on Saturday.
“At this stage we are 60-40 to come for the heats.
“I would like to tinker with a few things like walk her to the boxes and the first corner.
“Just something like that so she is familiar with the track, that’s what she needs.
“We did that at Cranbourne when she sizzled in a Cranbourne Cup heat.
“We need to be at our best because there will be a bit of depth in the Perth Cup.
“I’ve always wanted to win a Perth Cup and at this stage we will be heading over.”
Up Hill Jill claimed her second success at the elite level after taking out the Topgun last October.
She has now won 35 races from 67 starts with a further 21 seconds and three thirds. Her stake earnings has soared to $773, 721.
Geall said Up Hill Jill’s determination to chase hard and overhaul Striker Light was career defining.
“I would say it was her best win,” Geall said.
“She’s had some nice wins, but that was the one that mattered most.
“She dug in when I didn’t think she could dig deep in the last 30m.
“Striker Light is a superstar and she was sizzling out in front.
“I was resigned to thinking she had run second again.
“But the way she hit the line was all heart and stamina.”
Julio Santarelli