Another Hillis triumph over Riccarton fences

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 28

Another Hillis triumph over Riccarton fences

By

J. J. BOYLE.

The 18-year-old Wayne Hillis made a contribution to a famous family record when he rode Deep South to victory in the Hororata Racing Club’s Gilbert Grigg Steeplechase at Riccarton yesterday. Wayne Hillis made all the running on the Hazlett-bred Deep South, and the South-land-owned and trained Lomond gelding fought off a sustained challenge from the favourite Trial Run for victory by three lengths. Socotra was a battling third five lengths back, but

his trainer, Riverton's Bill .Hillis, took no small pleasure from the result of the race.

The successful horseman is Bill Hillis’s grand-nephew, and a son of Takanini trainer, Brian Hillis, who was also in the top flight of jumping riders before he retired to give his full attention to training.

Deep South is owned by Mr and Mrs John Mcßae, of Nightcaps, Western Southland and trained at Riverton by their son, Gareth. The Mcßae’s had hoped to engage Steve' Allen for their horse yesterday, but the Gore horseman was not at the meeting and young

Wayne Hillis, who is making Riccarton his headquarters until after the Grand National meeting, was able to snap up the ride to achieve his second win.

Deep South had a wind operation earlier in his career, and Mr and Mrs Mcßae were able to secure him for $l2OO.

Trial Run seemed likely to justify his favouritism close to home, but mulled his leap at the second last flight, the formidable Jumbo brush. He rallied for John McKay, levelled up going to the last fence, and there was little in it for another 50 yards or so. The greys bumped for a stride or two before Deep

South pulled away to establish his winning "margin of three lengths.

Socotra led the chase after Deep South until about 1000 m out. He hit hard at the fence a round from home, but was quickly in full stride again. Although outpaced by the two greys he was in never in danger of losing third, finishing 10 lengths clear of Masque.

Good Nip lost ground at most fences, and dropped out to finish last. Uncle Geoff fell at Cutts’s when at the back of the field. He fractured a fetlock joint in the fall, and was put down.