Damien Oliver warned not to sum up the Melbourne Cup chances of Kiwi mare Hill Of Grace by her Mackinnon Stakes sixth.
Oliver switches to highly fancied Kaapstad Way for tomorrow's Cup, but liked the effort of Hill Of Grace.
"The 2400m of the Caulfield Cup took the edge off her speed for this race and she couldn't sprint when I asked for it in the straight," said Oliver.
"Also what didn't help was that they walked and sprinted home. She lost a length when they sprinted."
Hill Of Grace battled back nicely in the closing stages and Oliver said on the line she felt very strong.
"I didn't knock her around for you, either," Oliver shot to trainer Robert Priscott with a smile.
Priscott felt Hill Of Grace was a shade fresh for Saturday's race, not having run since the Caulfield Cup.
"She arrived at the track a bit fresh then got a bit worked up with the helicopters flying over the course."
He sees no reason why Hill Of Grace will not cope with her first try at 2300m.
"She should sit up in behind them and she I think she'll see out the trip, provided she settles. This race should take the edge off her and help her to settle."
Earlier in the day Priscott had widly fluctuating fortunes. Our Winged Foot reared leaving the barriers in the $A150,000 Carbine Club Stakes and settled in last place, the worst possible position when there was a bias for on-pace runners. He ran on nicely to finish in the first half of the field and will return to New Zealand to be aimed at the Bayer Classic.
Three races later Priscott and owner Terry Jarvis combined to take the $A250,000 Hardy Brothers Classic with underrated mare Super Sequel, who had to do it tough to sit outside the leader to the home turn then try and hold the others out down the long Flemington straight.
"She's been unlucky because she ricked a joint last season and Robert had to walk a knife edge to make sure she didn't put on too much weight while she was spelling," said Jarvis.
Matamata mare Platonic's second to Super Sequel was a fine effort. The soft track bled her acceleration and she had to rely on sheer heart to pull the leaders back in the home straight.
Platonic will have her Melbourne campaign extended.
"She's doing really well here so there's no point in taking her home. She can run in a 1600m race at Sandown on Saturday week," said trainer Graham Richardson.
Racing: Battling Hill Of Grace wins rider's admiration
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