Lindsay Park colt Liberty Steps will be racing for a potential trip to Brisbane when he steps out at Caulfield.
A Caulfield winner at his second start, Liberty Steps will line up in the Thomas North Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.
The Ben and JD Hayes-trained two-year-old, if successful, could then make his way to Brisbane for the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 28 and then proceed to the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm two weeks later.
“If he wins and looks impressive, that’s the way we might head,” Ben Hayes said.
“One of the owners stands the stallion (Sidesteps) up there, so he would like to have the horse run in the good races if it works that way.”
After finishing third on debut at Sandown over 1300m in March, Liberty Steps was dropped back in trip to score at Caulfield over 1200m on April 16.
Runner-up on that occasion was Jamarra who came out to record a victory at Warrnambool on day-two of this week’s Carnival.
“The form has stood up which is always good to see,” Hayes said.
“He’s a bit like Mr Brightside at home, a lazy trackworker and doesn’t give you much of a guide and then he gets to race day and runs well.
“We always liked him, there was no doubt about that, as he’s a lovely big strong colt and he was one of our early picks but just needed time to get to the track.
“He didn’t work the house down early and was showing he might have been looking for further, but then after his first start we dropped him back in distance and it proved the right decision.”
Liberty Steps is currently the $3.70 second favourite behind the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Maximillus ($2.60) with TAB.