Lindsay Park will be hoping to consolidate their position in the top three on the Victorian Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership with a strong hand at Caulfield on Wednesday.
Since taking over just prior to the commencement of the current season, Ben and JD Hayes sit third on both the Victorian Country and Metropolitan titles in their first season as a training partnership with father David in Hong Kong and cousin Tom Dabernig now training at Warrnambool.
The Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield will see the trainers with two and possibly three starters in the race.
JD Hayes confirmed Excelida and Crosshaven would take their place while a decision was pending on whether Biometric would run first-up at his preferred course and distance.
Excelida is coming off an impressive win in Benchmark 78 grade over Wednesday’s course and distance on Boxing Day and could be racing for a trip to New Zealand.
“She’s going well but it is a big jump in grade for her running in a black type race and we’re excited to see what she can do,” Hayes said.
“It was an eye-catching win and I think she’s definitely in it up to her eyeballs.”
On paper Crosshaven may look disappointing to punters, but Hayes is confident the gelding is not far off a return to winning form.
Hayes said the stable was going to change some of his gear for Wednesday.
“He has been forced to carry weight because he did so well as a young horse,” Hayes said.
“We can’t fault him and it was a peak performance for him on the clock last time, so it shows he’s going really well.
“We’re thinking about putting on a nose roll and a tongue tie on him to try and get him to settle that extra 10 per cent.”
Hayes said if they decided to start Biometric, the gelding would not be out of place in the race.
“He’s trialled up nicely and the 1400 metres at Caulfield almost defines him,” Hayes said.