Lindsay Park is struggling for end-of-season metropolitan runners, but it won’t stop the showpiece racing stable from unveiling an interesting newcomer on Saturday.
In a trend expected to continue for the next month, David Hayes and his training partner Tom Dabernig will have only one runner at Flemington.
“We’ve got a few midweek runners that we’ll be running on the artificial surfaces and on country tracks, but a lot of our Saturday horses are having a break,” Hayes said.
“We’ll be very quiet until August, but we’ve got a lot lined up for the start of the new season.”
Former French mare Iteration will carry the stable’s Flemington hopes as she makes her Australian debut.
The winner of two races over 1800m and 1900m from 10 starts in France, Iteration was trained by Jean-Claude Rouget.
She was bought at auction by leading Victorian owner-breeder Robert Crabtree.
Hayes said Saturday’s 1400m heat of the Leilani Series looked a nice race to kick her off in Australia.
“It gives me the opportunity to watch her and learn about her,” Hayes said.
“She’s a genuine mile-and-a-quarter type of horse and I hope she can pick up city races,” Hayes said.
“There’s an 1800-metre race coming up in a few weeks in which she will be well placed.”
Hayes said he doubted if the daughter of Astronomer Royale would measure up to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
“She might be a Cups chance if she won a couple, but she’ll probably be better suited in mares’ grade,” he said.
Dwayne Dunn, who took the lead in the Melbourne jockey’s premiership race with a treble at Moonee Valley last Saturday and consolidated it with a win at Sale on Wednesday, will ride Iteration.
Iteration is a $9.50 chance in an open betting race with Miss Rose De Lago the $4.80 favourite.
