Huge moment for Hill clan in Northern Oaks

By Michael Guerin

The courage of youngsters combined to win Seth Hill and Cath the biggest prize of their careers at Alexandra Park on Friday.

The heavily-backed favourite led throughout to win the $100,000 Pascoes The Jewellers Northern Oaks in a wonderful family triumph, Cath being trained and part-owned by Brendon Hill and driven by Seth, one of his two sons driving professionally.

Cath headed home an all South Island First 4 with Ideal Crown justifying trainer Chelsea Faithful’s huge call to come all the way from Southland to finish second, in front of All Of Me and a very brave Queen Lizzy.

The win capped a perfectly executed training plan from the man they call Benny, but there is no surprise in that. Give a trainer of his talent the right animal and you will get the results. 

But we know less about Seth, still forging his way in the harness racing world.

Plenty of young drivers can show talent and timing but many a clear head has become clouded in a Group 1, especially on an Oaks favourite trained by your Dad.

Seth’s mind was tested when, after leading easily, Queen Lizzy had a decent look for the lead and then went again soon after.

Hill could have relented but the way second favourite Secret Wish swept into the race at the bell had Queen Lizzy been in front and Cath trailing, there was every chance Secret Wish rolls on to the front and wins.

But she didn’t. Secret Wish wobbled and galloped and took out Indulge Me, a prime example of what can happen when good horses have to come wide while their rivals are enjoying the luxury of the marker pegs.

So Seth’s decision to stick to his plan, a plan he devised after doing his own form, not only took courage but it won him this Oaks on his first night of driving at The Park.

He needed some help though. Cath was the perfect partner as she didn’t let the early pressure upset her and get her over-racing.

She was starting to feel the acid build-up and mental strain of her first 2700m mobile at the 400m mark and was there to be sling-shotted.

But she kept going. Oaks are often won by the filly who keeps going, particularly if that filly is on the marker legs and out of trouble, the mistress of their own destiny.

Afterwards Brendon Hill started to tear up, as any father would.

“This is special and I am so proud of Seth,” he said.

“I have been lucky enough to train some great horses and win bigger races but nothing means as much to me as this does on a personal level.”

Seth seemed calmer, returning to scale not yet realising the significance of what tonight means and will mean in the decades to come.

But the kid has it, the demeanour needed to win these big races.

The Hills and their filly will now back up next Friday in the $200,000 Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes Fillies Final, victory in which would make her favourite for the Filly of the Year title.

Earlier in the night there was another Group 1 all-the-way win but with far less drama as Kyvalley Ray bolted away with the $120,000 IRT Sires’ Stakes Trot for Blair Orange.

He dodged an early skirmish to work his way to the lead and never looked in danger of defeat, cruising clear of a gutsy Our Col, who may not be at her best but keeps showing heart.

Trainer Brent Lilley was on track to watch his wonderful little horse make it the Harness Million/Sires’ Stakes double at two and three and Kyvalley Ray will head to the Derby next Friday before finally heading back to Victoria on Sunday week.