Waiting for Wattle

After being away from the races for two years seven months and twenty three days, Wattle Hill (What The Hill) cleared maidens at Winton today.

“She got crook and I got crook. She did a ligament and the best thing that happened was that she was out for a good long time,” said Balfour trainer Robert Wilson.

The now six year old mare has been to just two workouts and each of them were only two horse affairs.

“She works all by herself at home all the time.”  

After getting away safely driver Nathan Williamson settled Wattle Hill back in third as first starter Remember Bev trotted to the front.

At the 1700 Williamson moved Wattle Hill off the inside as The Bruiser improved. As Wattle Hill took over Remember Bev galloped, checking Ticktock McGlaughlin and leaving Wattle Hill in front.

At the 400 The Bruiser had moved up to Wattle Hill and the two went head to head. Just as The Bruiser got to a narrow lead he rolled into a gallop leaving Wattle Hill out on her own.

Driver Ellie Barron got The Bruiser going again but at the line Wattle Hill hung on to win by one and a half lengths.

WATTLE HILL REPLAY

“I expected her to go good today but it’s different to the workouts. She was getting tired at the end. I just wanted Nathan to get her away cleanly and take his time for her to find her feet. From there she’s pretty well foolproof.”

Wattle Hill is out of the unraced Armbro Invasion mare Lady Eileen who also left De Vito the winner of six races: three for Billy Heads, two for Nathan Williamson and one for Wilson.

“She’s tiny but she’s got a big ticker. We’ll just keep racing but I think there should be improvement in her.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink