Dark Dream and fellow former Hong Kong import provided one of the stories of racing last Saturday when they filled the first two placing over 2000 metres at Caufield, and one of them – Dark Dream – is on a seven-day back-up and will line up in the California Memory Living Legends Plate over 1700 metres at Flemington.
While Lindsay Park head trainers Ben and JD Hayes are on the Gold Coast, Will Hayes has taken charge of things in Melbourne and says that the seven-year-old gelding came out of the run so well that they felt it worth having another shot this week.
Back in Hong Kong, 12-day or even fortnightly turnarounds were not usual.
“He pulled up so well out of his run and when our racing manager suggested it, the boys jumped on it,” Will said.
Rated the $4.60 by TAB, Dark Dream is on the second line of betting behind blackbook runner Somerset Maugham at $2.80.
“He hasn’t missed a beat since his run and hopefully the quick back-up is something that works for him,” he adds.
