WEDNESDAY HILLSIDE RUNNERS

Lottaroc, Southern Hills, Milford Sound and Rainbow Thief represent us on the Hillside track at Sandown today.

Southern Hills is the first to go in race one for two-year-olds over 1300 metres with Daniel Stackhouse aboard. The son of Sebring ran with promise on debut at Geelong over 1347 metres coming from last at the home turn to finish fourth and Mike Moroney is expecting the gelding to be suited by the Hillside track.

“He pleased us on debut and he’s gone the right way since,” Mike said. “Obviously today is harder with five of his eight rivals already winners but he a horse we have a bit of an opinion of and he’s certainly worth a chance in town.

“It was a soft track at Geelong and today has come up heavy which is a query but he’s there to run well and today will give us a better idea of where he head with him.”

Last start winner Lottaroc is in race six over 1400 metres with Daniel Stackhouse again on board.

“We saw the real Lottaroc winning on this course last start in blinkers - that was a maiden however, and today he’s up to benchmark 70 level,” Mike said.

“He’s trained on nicely since his win and is in good order, he’s fitter again today and has drawn nicely in barrier five so all things being equal I’m expecting him to run well again.”

Milford Sound and Rainbow Thief both run in the last race over 1800 metres, Daniel Stackhouse riding Milford Sound and Laura Lafferty on Rainbow Thief.

Milford Sound is making his Australian debut but has carried some residual fitness from a preparation in New Zealand when he was was a winner last time out over 2200 metres on a soft track at Wingatui on May 27.

“He’s settled in well at Flemington and he’s had two goes on heavy track in New Zealand for two placings so the going should not be an issue for him,” Mike said.

“His fitness levels care good, he had a tick over jump out over 800 metres at Flemington 10 days which is not his go.

“It will be interesting to see how he goes today, we’ve tinkered a little bit with his gear and fitted him with a bubble cheeker, a cross-over and a tongue tie to help him.”

Rainbow Thief (pictured) was beaten less than a length and a half last start on this course over 1600 metres on a heavy 10 track.

“I thought Laura gave him a lovely ride at his last start and he was not beaten far at all,” Mike said. “He’s building up to a win after a long time off, he will not mind the ground and he’s drawn to get a lovely run from barrier two so all things being equal I’m expecting him to figure in the finish.”