Hoping to relive the glory
CITING her victory in last year's edition as the highlight of her season, popular horsewoman Samantha Hill hopes to relive the glory in coming weeks.
As trainer and driver of handy pacer Offyarocka Crocker, Hill was successful in the inaugural Pot Of Gold Final at Globe Derby last February.
"Winning the Pot Of Gold stands out for a few reasons," Hill said. "It's the first year they'd run the race and is the first feature winner I've trained.
"It was also cool to win it with that horse because he was quite lowly-rated when I got him and not going very well, but he just clicked here and went through the grades."
Fast forward to tomorrow night's meeting at headquarters and Hill will launch a three-pronged attack on the 2026 series.
Three qualifiers for the Final are on the program, with Hill's team split between the trio.
"I put the three in so I could have a good crack at it," Hill said. "It would be terrific to win a race such as this again."
Thats Art will kick-start Hill's campaign from barrier five, with the son of Modern Art listed as the $5 second favourite behind Peace Of Heaven at $1.30 from gate seven.
"Thats Art has been so consistent, and although he will be relying a little bit of luck from the draw, I will drive him positively," Hill said.
The widest drawn in a field of seven in the second heat, Alive And Free is the $51 rank outsider.
"It's a shocking draw and will really make it hard on him," Hill said. "The thing about him though, is he always does his best at the races.
"He's so lazy at home, but knows when it's time to go, so I know I can always expect him to give it his all."
Imposter Boy rounds out Hill's prospects, with the son of Poster Boy to begin from barrier four.
Runner-up during his past three starts, Imposter Boy is the $2.50 favourite, with Miss Out considered the main threat at $2.80 from gate seven.
"Imposter has drawn best and his form holds up well for this," Hill said. "His runs have been excellent. In fact, he is super consistent and has only ever put in one bad run and we later found out it wasn't his fault.
"He enjoys the longer distance and is busting for a win, so hopefully that will come along in the heat, and even better, the Final."
