Our 2026 Hill Stakes Day Preview takes us back out to Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, October 10th, and another ten quality betting races make up the program.
I’ve run the rule over the card and you can find my complete Rosehill best bets below, including 2026 Hill Stakes tips.
MISS SPACEGIRL (10) is second up and open to plenty of improvement into this week’s Midway Handicap.
Miss Spacegirl has raced consistently through 20 appearances since debuting, and she couldn’t have done a lot more without winning over 1300m here when resuming late last month.
With natural improvement and getting slightly further out in trip, this looks the perfect opportunity for her to go one better.
| 2. Miss Spacegirl (10) J: Siena Grima 59kg 430×2 T: Richard & Will Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months came from the tail of the field 2nd of 10 in a Midway Bm72 at this track on September 26 over 1300m, nose behind Call Me Sassy with 58kg at $7. Previously second-up settled back and ran on when 4th of 8 in a Bm72 at Canterbury on December 12 over 1250m, 1.75 len behind Mother Goose carrying 57.5kg at $5. Genuine performer who can go one better today. | |||
COSTALIVIN (3) takes winning form into this week’s Highway Handicap and can continue her journey through the grades.
Costalivin has improved noticeably with each of three runs back from a break, culminating in an eye-catching performance that saw her hit the line and win over 1500m at Goulburn last time out.
Her city debut sees her drop in the weights, she’s drawn to find a nice passage through to a prominent position in the run this week under one of Australia’s best judges of speed, Tim Clark.
| 13. Costalivin (3) J: Tim Clark 54kg 1×521 T: Matthew Dale | |||
| Dual acceptor. Racing well recently. Last start favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 0.8 len in a Cl2 at Goulburn on September 24 over 1500m defeating Skirmish with 56kg at $3. The run before that gave a sight but was run down late 2nd of 11 in a Ctry Cl1 at Goulburn on September 11 over 1300m, head behind Wolf Island carrying 56.5kg at $7. One of the chief contenders who looks up to this. | |||
BARRENGARRY (8) looks to be a star on the rise, and he can record another victory on Hill Stakes Day.
Barrengarry has stamped himself as one to follow by winning four of seven starts since debuting and remains unbeaten this time in, having franked a smart first-up run over 1400m at Randwick with another comfortable victory over a mile last time.
Fitter third-up and out to an even more appropriate trip, he’s my best bet on the program.
| 9. Barrengarry (6) J: Zac Lloyd 55.5kg 15×11 T: Joseph Ible | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming favourite; won by 1.2 len in a Midway Bm72 at Randwick on September 5 over 1400m defeating Vexxy with 58kg at $5.50. Last start favourite; won by 0.7 len in a Midway Bm72 at Randwick on September 19 over 1600m defeating All Star carrying 60.5kg at $1.65. Racing well. Well placed to bring up the hat-trick. | |||
I’m happy to stick with GENESIS RUNNER (3) on the quick back up into the Gloaming Stakes field.
Genesis Runner is yet to strike in three runs back this time but hasn’t been far away at any of those appearances, including an agonizingly close second behind Wonka in last week’s Dulcify Stakes at Randwick.
The extra furlong suits and from a nice low draw, this looks his chance to go one better.
| 5. Genesis Runner (3) J: Chad Schofield 56.5kg 1×242 T: Richard & Will Freedman | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run 2nd of 8 in the LR Dulcify Stakes at Randwick on October 3 over 1600m, slow going nose behind Wonka with 56.5kg at $1.95. The run before that 4th of 10 in the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality at this track on September 12 over 1400m, 1.1 len behind Persian Wonder with 53kg at $4. Blinkers come off and no excuses today on the backup. | |||
LAFITE (4) takes winning form and improvement into the Tapp-Craig.
Having returned to action to finish a close second behind an impressive Federalist up at Newcastle last month, Lafite was a popular favourite over 1400m at Kembla Grange last time out before ultimately winning by three lengths.
This is harder, but he’s open to further improvement and without a whole lot of star power engaged, it looks a perfect feature race for him.
| 7. Lafite (4) J: Tommy Berry 55kg 67×21 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming sat on the pace when 2nd of 9 in a Cg&E Mdn at Newcastle on September 18 over 1400m, long-neck behind Federalist carrying 56kg at $8. Second-up favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 3 len in a Cg&E Mdn at Kembla Grange on September 26 over 1400m defeating Italian Spirit with 57kg at $1.75. One for the exotics. | |||
SATONO GLOW (9) is the one for me in the 2026 Roman Consul Stakes field.
She stamped herself as one to follow by winning two of three starts during her debut preparation, including the Thoroughbreds Breeders Stakes over 1200m but returned to action with an even better performance to win the Cap D’Antibes at Flemington last month.
Having been kept up to the mark with a trial since that race, she won her only other second up target so far and as the field’s sole filly, she takes weight from every other horse engaged.
| 14. Satono Glow (9) J: Zac Lloyd 54.5kg 114×1 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months won by 0.5 len in the G3 Cap D’Antibes Stakes at Flemington on September 12 over 1100m defeating Over Excited with 58.5kg at $7. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by 3 len in the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington on March 28 over 1200m on a heavy track defeating Salann with 56kg at $4.20. Sharp filly with the class to overcome the wide draw. | |||
Getting back to the Sydney way of going and over his preferred trip, LINDERMANN (8) can bounce back in Saturday’s Hill Stakes.
He’s made a habit of taking up the running and kicking away from his rivals to win right the way throughout his career, and Lindermann did just that again when winning the Chelmsford Stakes over a mile last month.
He was then sent to Victoria and did attract big interest in Underwood Stakes betting but was ultimately the first horse beaten, turning in another substandard performance at the opposition way of going.
He steps out this week in peak order, Nash Rawiller jumps back into the saddle and will undoubtedly take him straight to the lead.
| 1. Lindermann (8) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg 2×918 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Last start couldn’t go on with it; ran last of 8 in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 8 len behind Birdman with 59kg at $3. Before that won by 1.75 len in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on September 5 over 1600m defeating Ceolwulf with 59kg at $2.70. Won this race last year and set to bounce back. | |||
The Alan Brown Stakes boasts a purse of $1.5 million, and a fittingly excellent field has been taken, including many previous winners at the highest level.
With a case to be made for many of them and all things considered, LINEBACKER (10) is one that I think looks particularly well placed second up from a spell in a race like this one.
The 2025 Randwick Guineas winner hasn’t struck for nearly a year, but he has continued to turn in competitive performances in good races, and he was doing his best work late when fourth in a strong edition of the Bill Ritchie first up last month.
I like that he’s been back to the trials, he loves the 1400m and drops in the weights this week under Zac Lloyd.
| 11. Linebacker (8) J: Zac Lloyd 55.5kg 630×4 T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 4th of 10 in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap at Randwick on September 19 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind General Salute carrying 57kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 7th of 12 in the G1 George Ryder Stakes at this track on March 21 over 1500m, slow going 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $31. Back on track and can return to winning form. | |||
SHE’S AN ARTIST (2) has been knocking on the door since resuming and gets a great chance to win The Nivison.
The Trapeze Artist mare attracted market support before ultimately filling the minors in BM78 company here first up in August, while she was last seen only just missing again in a BM88 sprint.
Fitter third-up this week, she gets into the race well under the conditions and boasts a key fitness edge over several key rivals this week.
| 12. She’s An Artist (2) J: Regan Bayliss 54kg 26×32 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up made ground from midfield; 3rd of 11 in a Bm78 at this track on August 29 over 1100m, 1.1 len behind Oh Arthur with 59.5kg at $3.10. Last start 2nd of 12 in a Bm88 at Randwick on September 19 over 1100m, long-neck behind Golden Straand carrying 56kg at $8. Jumps in grade third up and can surprise in a open contest. | |||
ELLIPSIS (12) makes her return to action for the first time since January on Hill Stakes Day.
The Written Tycoon mare has raced consistently through only nine starts since debuting and didn’t miss placing last time in; striking in BM72 company at the midweeks most notably.
Her fresh record currently stands at 3:2-1-0 and with the benefit of a couple of handy trial performances under her belt, she can hit the ground running in something of this quality.
| 13. Ellipsis (9) J: Tommy Berry 55kg 2314x T: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation fourth of 9 at Randwick Kensington 4yo+ Bm72 January 21 over 1250m, soft track; 0.9 len behind Clancy with 59kg at $2.80. When resuming last campaign second of 9 at Canterbury F&M Bm72 December 12 over 1100m, 0.9 len behind Caffe Florian carrying 58kg at $4.40. Trialled very well and and capable of taking this out. | |||