Hillis not thinking twice about Wakefield back-up

[Wandering Eyes]

Wayne Hillis didn’t have to Think Twice (NZ) (Alamosa) about backing up his promising juvenile of the same name in the Gr.2 Hiddenbed Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Think Twice had made the long trek down to Trentham for the two-year-old feature last weekend, however, the meeting was abandoned after the first race due to unsafe track conditions.

While the trip could have had an impact on the son of Alamosa backing up this weekend, Hillis said he is a cruisy character and has come through the trip well.

“He is a pretty laidback little fella, he has taken it in his stride,” Hillis said.

Think Twice has had just the one run to date, winning on debut over 1000m at Te Rapa last month.

“It was a good effort, he had only had a jumpout and a trial, so he would have learnt a bit from that one,” Hillis said.

Think Twice has drawn gate three on Saturday where he will carry 56.5kg with jockey Kozzi Asano aboard.

“He pounces good but will probably be in the first four or five,” Hillis said. “He is eating well and doing well, so I am looking forward to tomorrow with him.”

Hillis said stablemate Nothinsweetaboutme had also come through the trip to Trentham in good order and will take her place in the Dunstan Feed Stayers Championship Qualifier (2200m).

“She went down on the trip to Wellington too and she has travelled well as well,” Hillis said.

“There is not much of her. She is only 410 kilos but she has got determination. She won well last start and the distance (2200m) is her go, so hopefully she will go alright.”

Hillis will also line-up Isla Jay in the Brokerweb Risk Services 1400 and Brian Lamont in the Pathways- The Immigration Specialists Mile (1600m).

“Isla Jay should go well, she has got a good draw (1) and is always consistent. She has been a bit unlucky too,” Hillis said.

“Brian Lamont hasn’t got the best of draws (14) again. He didn’t have a good draw last week either but he really bounced well but ended up getting caught three-wide.

“Hopefully if he can begin like he did last time and get into a better position he might be a chance.”

View the full article