Trainer Bruce Hill is banking on his decision to bypass the main two-year-old features this winter with Startsmeup to reap benefits in the spring.Startsmeup will line up for only his second start this campaign in the Listed Channel Seven Dalrello Plate (1200m) at Doomben on Monday.The Gold Coast-based Hill refrained from setting him for this month's Group Two Sires' Produce Stakes and Group One T J Smith at Eagle Farm when he finished fifth to Military Rose in the Magic Millions Classic (1200m)

Trainer Bruce Hill is banking on his decision to bypass the main two-year-old features this winter with Startsmeup to reap benefits in the spring.

Startsmeup will line up for only his second start this campaign in the Listed Channel Seven Dalrello Plate (1200m) at Doomben on Monday.

The Gold Coast-based Hill refrained from setting him for this month's Group Two Sires' Produce Stakes and Group One T J Smith at Eagle Farm when he finished fifth to Military Rose in the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.

"The Magic Millions is so early it takes a lot out of two-year-olds," Hill said.

"He ran a terrific race to finish fifth in the Magic Millions but I decided then not to give him a tough campaign in the winter."

Hill is hopeful Startsmeup can measure up as a three-year-old in Melbourne during the spring but will be guided by his next two performances before formulating an interstate campaign.

Hill is confident Startsmeup will run 1600 metres after he matures further and the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October looms as a possible spring target.

"I think he'll eventually run 1600 metres but I didn't want to push him too early and run him in the TJ Smith," he said.

Startsmeup won an Eagle Farm barrier trial by six lengths last month before making his winter comeback with a close fourth to Run For Levi on a rain affected track in the Listed Doomben Slipper (1350m) on May 29.

"It was only the wet track that beat him last time," Hill said.

"He only just gets through wet tracks and it was also his first run since the Magic Millions.

"I wanted to run him in an earlier race than that but he was first emergency and missed a start.

"I never seriously thought about running him in the Sires' or TJ Smith as they came around too quick and I'm looking to Melbourne if he runs well in his next two starts."

Startsmeup will have his final start this campaign in the Listed Australia Post Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 26.

Hill is confident Startsmeup can break through for his first win at only his fifth start despite drawing badly in barrier 10.

"It's not a good draw but I expect him to run well so long as it doesn't rain," he said.

Hill rates the Peter Snowden-trained Hierarchy as the main threat to Startsmeup.

Hierarchy maintained his unbeaten record at his second start with a commanding 1200m victory on a heavy track at Randwick last month.