Max Hill with strong book at Invercargill today

By Jonny Turner 

Max Hill will get the chance to set the tone for his stable at Ascot Park on Thursday.

Hill will team up with Beaudiene Quickstep after the pair produced an eye-catching effort at Winton last week.

The pacer is the only runner from the Nathan Williamson team to line up at the mid-week meeting, before the stable unleashes several stars at Sunday's Diamonds Day meeting.

Bookmakers and punters didn't miss Beaudiene Quickstep smoking home late in testing conditions at Winton last week, installing him a $1.65 early favourite.

"It was a nice run last week, he dashed up that last bit," Hill said.

"That is his go, if he can do no work he can sprint up quite nice that last 200m."

"He loves a stand and is drawn to hopefully get that sort of run he likes, if he can step as well as he usually does."

"He hadn't had a run for a while before last week and he seems to have come back good after a wee break."

"If everything goes to plan he should be a pretty good chance."

Hill links up with another early favourite in Spiritinthesky, who returns to southern racing after a strong win at Addington.

Though the mare steps up in grade for trainer Kirstin Green she still looks well placed.

"It was a good win at Addington, she seems to be one that likes to do it tough so hopefully we can get away well enough and put her in the race."

While he didn't open favourite, Bowlem Over is another of Hill's drives on Thursday that has been kept safe by bookmakers.

The pacer drops sharply in grade for trainer Robin Swain but he has a wide second row draw to contend with.

"He's been in a lot harder races lately and going well enough."

"The draw (12) isn't the best because he likes to race on the speed."

"But hopefully we can get into it at some stage and he can go good."

Dragoness looks a cheeky hope for Hill in Thursday's finale.

The mare ran on from a hopeless spot in her fresh up outing at Winton last week for trainer Craig Laurenson.

"She went to the line with the plugs in and didn't have much luck."

"She has got a bit of speed and definitely isn't the worst chance."

Hill also links up with another Robin Swain trained runner in Suzanne.

The mare cops a tough draw in her Ascot assignment, as she has in most of her starts so far.