Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

Hill gives punters a pointer for Ipswich

7 November 2018

Share this page

Share on a platform

Or copy the page link

By Glenn Davis

Gold Coast trainer Bruce Hill has handed punters a strong pointer as promising sprinter Ecker Road attempts to stretch his winning sequence to five at Ipswich on Thursday.

Ecker Road was formerly trained at the Sunshine Coast by Troy Hall winning just one of his seven starts but is unbeaten in his four starts since joining Hill’s stables.

Ecker Road will attempt to maintain that unblemished record for Hill when he steps out in the Class Six Handicap (1350m).

Hill is confident Ecker Road will acquit himself well despite an awkward barrier seven in the field of eight and has given punters a strong lead by predicting better things ahead for the five-year-old.

Hill plans to take Ecker Road though the grades but will soon test him in Saturday city class if successful.

“I think he’s got untapped potential,” said Hill, who has 20 horses in work.

“I want to see how he goes in this race at Ipswich before stepping up to the city.

“I’ve only had him this preparation but he hasn’t surprised me with what he’s been doing.

“I’ve got a good opinion of him and think he’s definitely a Saturday city horse.”

Hill said Ecker Road was a bit wayward when the son of Snippetson first entered his stable.

“He’s been a very nice horse from day one and I think here’s still got a lot of improvement to come,” he said.

“He was a bit wayward when I first got him and he wanted to over race and go too hard in his races.

“But we’ve taught him to settle now and he’s benefitting from that.”

Hill is not overly concerned with Ecker Road’s awkward barrier in the small field.

“Barriers can be a bit tricky in small races but I’m not concerned about his draw,” he said.

“He was hard going early on in his career but he should be able to get across and settle.

“It’s a strong field but I expect him to be very competitive.

“His racing manners are getting better with each run and his potential is untapped.”

Racing Queensland webnews   November 7