News

Hai Lil shapes as Group 1 filly

22nd Jun 2013

Racing Network - Adrian Dunn - Saturday, 22 June 2013

MICHAEL Rodd rates Hai Lil, last stride winner of today’s Bruce Gadsden at Flemington, as a “Group 1 filly”.

Rodd said he told trainer Allen Browell when he partnered the filly at her previous campaign that she had the scope to reach the elite level.

Hai Lil lumped 60kg, but still proved too strong for the colts and geldings.

The Myer Classic could be a spring goal for Hai Lil, according to Rodd, who has won four races on this daughter of Churchill Downs.

“She is only litte, but underneath she feels big,” Rodd said.

“I’m not going to compare her to Divine Madonna, but she is in a similar mode. She gets back, steams home.”

Rodd noted that Hail Lil should not have won at Moonee Valley when she resumed earlier in the month.

“I don’t want to put the mozz on her, but she is learning every start,” Rodd said.

“She was able to take up more of a position today and that (1200 metres) is not her ideal distance.

“I don’t think she will get more than a mile (sic 1600 metres), but when she is hard fit a mile will be perfect for her.

“The colder you ride her the better finish she has. I know this is an out of season race, but she can really let rip.”

Hail Lil, a $13 chance, just grabbed North Atlantic Ice, $51, to win by a short head with a short half head to About Square, $21, third.

Hai Lil (3f Churchill Downs x Smooth As Silk) was a $60,000 purchase by trainer Allen Browell from the draft of Little Plains Stud at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.