Max Hill steps up for Sunday's Oamaru meeting

By Jonny Turner 

The old firm will be back in business at Oamaru on Sunday.

With brother Seth on the sidelines, Max Hill will step in to drive his father Brendon's strong team on Oamaru Cup Day.

Filling your little brother's shoes isn't supposed to be hard, but given the form of both Seth and the Brendon Hill stable it looks like a decent challenge.

But it is one Max can't wait to take on.

"It is a shame that Seth is suspended because he has been going great, but it's awesome that I can step in and drive the team."

Without having driven any of his charges recently, Max has been deep in form and replay study this week.

His calculations have produced King Charles as one of his best winning chances.

"He's a nice trotter, he got it wrong first up but Seth said just forget that run."

"He didn't handle the grass, so back on the all-weather we are expecting him to go much better."

"He looks like a progressive horse and he would just about be my best chance."

Not Guilty is another of the Brendon Hill team that looks a nice hope for Max.
Drawing the outside of the front line looks the big challenge for the two-year-old.

"He has had the one trial this time in and Seth was happy with him."

"He trialled against some pretty nice two-year-olds earlier in the season and looks to be quite a handy horse."

"If he gets any luck from the wide draw he can be right in it."

Larissa Beaudiene has been in fine spring form for the Hill stable and it looks set to continue in a very suitable race at Oamaru.

"She's loving the standing starts, she's only had the two in her last two starts and she's gone great both times."

"This is a drop back from her last start, she looks a handy chance again."

Bella Ciao starts the day for the Brendon and Max Hill combination in Sunday's opener.

She's worse off than Not Guilty in the draw department, having to face the outside of the second row.

"Apart from the draw, it is a suitable race for her with the ratings."

"We will try to put her in it because it isn't a strong field and she would be a good chance if we can get any luck."

Hill takes another drive on Sunday for the Neil Edge and Ngaire Buchan stable in Jaccka Baylis.

The trotter looks a legitimate threat on the back of two top-4 placings in his last two starts.