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Hill Smith Stakes holds key to Crown’s Derby hopes

The $100,000 Listed Hill Smith Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday week will ultimately decide the VRC Derby dreams of talented three-year-old Crown Mint.

Trainer Gordon Richards said a strong showing over the 1800m would see him press on to the Victoria Derby following a disappointing result at Moonee Valley last Friday night.

Richards said he was hoping it was a case of Crown Mint simply not handling the tight-turning Moonee Valley track when beaten 7.2 lengths behind Glenfiddich in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes.

“I’m not sure what to make of him,” Richards said.

“It looked like he didn’t handle the track all that well and he was over on the inside which probably didn’t help.

“He’s back here and will now run in the Hill Smith. If he goes well in that we’d still look at the Derby, but more likely he’d go out and be set for the autumn.”

Richards said an improved Hill Smith performance could then mean a crack in the traditional Derby lead-up, the Geelong Classic, while he could even test him against the older horse at weight-for-age level.

“That Geelong race could be an option going to the Derby,” he said.

Richards said there was plenty to like about the run of Bold Star, who closed strongly late in the Group 1 Moir Stakes behind speedy mare Pippie.

“The 1000m around the Valley was just too short for him,” Richards said.

“I thought the pace on would have been good for him, but he had to come about 25-wide on the corner so his run was really good.

“He’ll head to the Schillaci on Guineas Day.”

There were also positive signs for fellow smart sprinter Garner after he went down as an odds-on favourite in the Wylie Stakes at Morphettville earlier this month.

“He had to be vetted and was sore behind but he’s OK now,” Richards said.

“He’ll go to the Caulfield Sprint on the same day as the Caulfield Cup.”

The Morphettville horseman said the stable was handling the travelling between SA and Victoria well.

“If you had a horse who didn’t handle it you wouldn’t do it, but it’s better for us to have them back here with your finger on the pulse,” Richards said.

“Having the good horses back here at home keeps the stable up and about and keeps them happy.”

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