Landlocked is jumping sharply in grade in the Group Two Hill Stakes but jockey Jay Ford believes it's a leap within reach for the in-form galloper.The talented son of Zabeel has impressed in two recent midweek wins but awaiting him in Saturday's 1900m event at Rosehill will be dual Group One winner Purple, Doncaster winner Triple Honour and Sydney Cup winner Jessicabeel."Saturday is another step up for him going to open company and weight-for-age, but it's a step we think he can make," Ford said

Landlocked is jumping sharply in grade in the Group Two Hill Stakes but jockey Jay Ford believes it's a leap within reach for the in-form galloper.

The talented son of Zabeel has impressed in two recent midweek wins but awaiting him in Saturday's 1900m event at Rosehill will be dual Group One winner Purple, Doncaster winner Triple Honour and Sydney Cup winner Jessicabeel.

"Saturday is another step up for him going to open company and weight-for-age, but it's a step we think he can make," Ford said.

"It's a good gauge to see where we are at. Probably his first two starts this preparation were a drop back in grade given he'd raced in the Derby and another stakes race during the autumn carnival," Ford said.

"And this should be a good guide on his prospects whether he's going to go up to the Metropolitan (2400m) or come back to the Epsom (1600m)."

Ford has ridden Landlocked in seven of his eight starts including unplaced runs in the Group One AJC Australian Derby and Group Three Frank Packer Plate (2000m) last preparation.

The jockey had always known the talent was there, he was just waiting for the penny to drop.

Landlocked resumed with a strong win in a 1200m restricted race on August 25.

He returned to Canterbury over 1550m two weeks later and overcame difficulty early in the race to storm home for another impressive win.

"I think he's pretty good," Ford said.

"He's always shown a lot on the track and in his first preparation, but he was very immature and very boisterous, he wasn't quite sure what he was there to do.

"He's come back a lot stronger physically, and mentally he's very switched on which has been shown by his two runs back."

Race favourite Purple has shown trainer Peter Snowden that she's back to her best with two excellent runs in the Warwick Stakes and Chelmsford Stakes against Sydney's best weight-for-age horses.

Snowden is confident the mare is ready to return to the winners' circle for the first time since November.

"Her work this week has been very good and I expect her to run really well on Saturday," Snowden said.

"From now on she should be on her A-game."

Purple is nominated for the Group One Metropolitan (2400m) but Snowden said the mare would be heading to Melbourne after the Hill Stakes.