The Lindsay Park trio of Ben, Will, and JD Hayes are hoping a shorter trip will bring out the best in their promising filly Killiana when she lines up at Bendigo on Saturday.

After finding the 1200m of the VOBIS Showdown at Caulfield slightly beyond her reach last month, Killiana drops back to 1100m for the VOBIS Gold Rush.

It’s a race the stable knows well, having won it last year with Bold Bastille, who romped home as the $1.18 favourite by more than two lengths.

Ben Hayes is hoping lightning strikes twice, even though Killiana will have to overcome the widest gate in a 10-runner field.

Bold Bastille entered last year’s Gold Rush with strong credentials, including a victory over Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi and black-type wins at Flemington and Caulfield.

Killiana, who has only raced twice, is currently the $2.20 market leader. She dominated on debut at Bendigo over 1000m before finishing fourth in the $1 million VOBIS Showdown.

To maintain her fitness, she completed a successful jump-out at Flemington on April 4.

“She has trialled up since her last start and has gone extremely well,” Hayes said.

“I think stepping back 100 metres to the 1100 metres will be suitable and she has done really well in the stable.

“She had only won a maiden, and it was her second start running in The Showdown and I thought she ran well, but she just peaked on her run at the 1200 metres and she’s possibly a sharper horse, a bit like Bold Bastille was.

“I think the step back to 1100 metres, you will see a completely different horse, especially with the extra experience.”