MediaPA 15 Report post Posted May 23, 2015 The Chill Bill fan club should have plenty to cheer about through the winter months judging by the wet-weather specialist’s latest success. History repeated itself at the Auckland track on Saturday when the six-year-old won second-up over 1600 metres, as he had done 12 months ago in a lower grade, with a grinding victory in the Armitage Mile. A holding track had been against a resuming Chill Bill when he was unplaced at Rotorua at his previous start and the looser going at Ellerslie was much more to his liking. “He also needed the run to be fair and he still looks a bit soft condition-wise now,†said co-trainer Andrew Forsman, who prepares the gelding with Murray Baker. Chill Bill, whose eight career wins have all been on rain-affected ground, settled toward the back of the field before rider Danielle Johnson urged him around runners across the top. They came widest into the straight and the One Cool Cat gelding’s sustained finish got the better of Secrets Only close to home to score by a neck. Chill Bill was following the winning lead of his stablemate Gesemi, who had a much easier time of it when successful in the Bidvest 2400. She lobbed along at the tail and when rider Matt Cameron gave her more rein 700 metres from home she loomed quickly into contention. “She put herself in it a bit too soon really, but when they’re travelling that well in the ground you can’t hold them up,†Forsman said. Gesemi was in front at the top of the straight and supporters of the dominant favourite had no worries as the Ekraar mare drove clear to win by five and a half lengths. This post has been promoted to an article Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
