Hillbilly Blues hits the charts

Hillbilly Blues’ (What The Hill) win in the Group One National Trot at Alexandra Park tonight signals the arrival of a new potential open class trotting star.

“He’s a super horse and it was another great drive by Tony,” said Michelle Wallis who co-trains with her husband Bernie Hackett.

When the mobile let the field run, driver Tony Herlihy managed to drop in early behind the pacemaker and favourite Mighty Logan.

Belle Neige who got pushed back to last, made a searching run inside the last 500 and Herlihy was able to push off the inside and get on Belle Neige’s back.

“I’ve got quite a bit of respect for Belle Neige and when she was getting a run on us she was going to take a bit of pegging back. But once I hooked him out off her back he really hit the line good. Once he came out and balanced up he went away from them, but he does just knock off when he hits the front. I had to be aware of that. He got the money, so that’s the main thing,” said Herlihy.

The winning margin was three quarters of a length from Oscar Bonavena who’s just on the wrong side of luck. He’s now run in five National Trots for four thirds and a second and is yet to win a Group race at the venue.

Belle Neige also trained by Michelle and Bernie, was a nose back in third.

HILLBILLY BLUES REPLAY

“She got pushed back to last and had to circle them. We’re really proud of both of them,” Michelle said.

Wallis achieved her first Group One success in this race twenty one years ago with Paris Metro who came down the outside of the track in the hands of Peter Ferguson to beat Allegro Agitato by half a neck with Lyell Creek a neck back in third. That night too, was very wet.

Of Hillbilly Blues Herlihy said, “He’s stepped up really good in the last six to eight weeks. He’s been racing great and has got a lot stronger.”

Hillbilly Blues was bred by Woodlands Stud and is out of the Sundon mare Experiment which won eight races for Southland trainer Tony Barron.

Herlihy purchased Hillbilly Blues at the 2022 Karaka Sales for $30,000. The gelding has now won over $170,000.

He qualified and had his first four starts for Herlihy before he decided to send him to Wallis and Hackett at Waiuku.

“On our track at home he just wasn’t getting round the bends. Bernie and Michelle train on the beach and I knew that would really suit him. He’s always had a motor and speed and now he’s got a lot stronger and he’s doing the job we were hoping he could do,” Herlihy said.

It’s not the first time Herlihy has sent a trotter out to Karioitaha Beach. Delft and Temporale began their careers with Herlihy and also spent time with Michelle and Bernie.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink