Enzedex Eagle to run in Hill Stakes

Emerging stayer Enzedex Eagle will miss the Newcastle Cup and instead run in the Hill Stakes as a leadup to a tilt at the Group One Metropolitan Handicap.Trainer Chris Waller and owner Col Keane decided the 1900m Group Two event on his home track at Rosehill on Saturday was a less taxing option than taking the gelding up the highway for Thursday's Newcastle Cup over 2300m."I have discussed it with Col Keane and we are keen to have a serious go at the Metropolitan," Waller said."The Hill Stakes i

Emerging stayer Enzedex Eagle will miss the Newcastle Cup and instead run in the Hill Stakes as a leadup to a tilt at the Group One Metropolitan Handicap.

Trainer Chris Waller and owner Col Keane decided the 1900m Group Two event on his home track at Rosehill on Saturday was a less taxing option than taking the gelding up the highway for Thursday's Newcastle Cup over 2300m.

"I have discussed it with Col Keane and we are keen to have a serious go at the Metropolitan," Waller said.

"The Hill Stakes is a better option for the horse. He can walk across the road and then go straight back to his box after the race rather than go all the way to Newcastle.

"We felt that might take too much out of him."

Enzedex Eagle finished third to the Gai Waterhouse-trained Bianca in the Wyong Cup (2100m) on September 8 on a very heave track.

He started favourite based on his previous five starts which yielded four wins and a close second to Kettledrum over the 2400 metres of the Metropolitan on October 4 for which he received 51kg when weights were released on Monday.

Hurrah, who caused an upset when he led all the way to beat Metropolitan favourite Red Lord in Saturday's Kingston Town Stakes, was also entered for the Hill Stakes but Waller said he was likely to be saved for the Craven Plate on the same day as the Metropolitan.

A Group One winner in New Zealand three years ago, Hurrah had not won over 2000 metres before the Kingston Town and had endured a series of feet problems in the 18 months since he joined Waller.

After experimenting with different shoes, Waller now has Hurrah happy and comfortable and ready to go on with the job.

"Hurrah pulled up well and will more than likely run in the Craven Plate now that he has won over 2000 metres," Waller said.

Love And Kisses, who has been placed twice in recent weeks behind the outstanding Samantha Miss, is likely to be saved for the Stan Fox Stakes on Saturday week in preference to taking on the Kris Lees-trained filly again in the Tea Rose Stakes.