Bjorn Baker already has a ripping All Too Hard filly in the stable in dual Group I winner Stefi Magnetica and he may have another nice one in Horseshoe Hill.
Third on debut last year in the Listed Wyong 2YO Classic to O’Ole and Memo, Horseshoe Hill was spelled subsequently and has been impressing at the trials in recent weeks in preparation for her return.
Sent out a raging hot favourite in a small field of five for the 1100m maiden at Hawkesbury, Horseshoe Hill was given a patient ride by Rachel King and let down with a brilliant turn of foot in the straight.
She surged up out wide and looked as though she would win easily, but runner-up Vanlee stuck to her guns and the pair dropped their rivals kicking away from them by six lengths with the favourite scoring a by a short neck.
They broke 33 for the last 600m clocking 32.9 seconds for their last split offering a clear indicator that both will be effective in better company.
Stable representative Luke Hilton was pleased for Horseshoe Hill to break the ice with spring plans for the talented filly.
“She's done a good job and she's only going to improve I think as she gets out over further,” said Hilton.
“When Rachel went for her, you're thinking you can get her now and she went bang, but then she had to tough it out with the other one and she had to keep finding.
“She'll learn a bit more and she had a good experience today; she's had a lovely run in the race and she's away now.”
Rachel King ride Horseshoe Hill on debut last year and has been on her at the trials so knows her well.
“She's still a big baby. Look, she's obviously only had that one start and she didn't get around the corner great then and she didn't get around it great again today, so it just took a bit of time to balance and change leads,” said King.
“I felt like I had three or four lengths up my sleeve, but I just couldn't quite find them today, but I think it's there.
“The fact that she was able to do that today was a good move by the team to bring her here so she could afford to do it a little bit wrong and still get away with the win because, like I said, she's very green and she's still learning.”
A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase from Widden Stud for Bjorn Baker Racing/Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd (FBAA)/Cunningham Thoroughbreds, Horseshoe Hill was bred by Barry McRostie is the second winner from Group II winning Encosta de Lago mare Miss Rose de Lago.
Strong and athletic with good sized and scope, Horseshoe Hill was the highest priced filly by All Too Hard sold in 2024.
Widden Stud sold a yearling colt by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) from Miss Rose de Lago at Inglis Premier for $220,000.
Miss Rose De Lago was covered last spring by Trapeze Artist after missing to him the year before.
