David Hayes is looking to take Eagle Falls on another overseas campaign to dodge super mare Black Caviar who will start at a virtually unbackable quote in Saturday’s Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
Eagle Falls chased home Black Caviar’s former stablemate Wanted, now standing at stud, in last year’s $1 million Newmarket (1200m) and last start broke through for his first Group One win in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) when he came home with a barnstorming finish at Caulfield.
“He’s probably come on a little bit more and peaking right at the right time,” Hayes said.
“Coming off a win in the second fastest Oakleigh Plate ever run and being well weighted (55kg) in a Newmarket you’d normally think you’d be a damn good chance.
“But I think we’d be pleasantly surprised if we could beat the favourite.
“I’m sure he’s going to run very well at amazing odds but so they should be when you run into a champion.”
After last year’s Newmarket, Hayes took Eagle Falls overseas where he finished fifth in both the Golden Shaheen in Dubai and KrisFlyer International Sprint in Singapore, both over 1200m.
Eagle Falls has run twice against Black Caviar, finishing a 7-1/4-length fourth of six to her in the Group Two Schweppes Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley and 13-length last of seven in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington last spring.
“If he runs well but gets absolutely hammered by Black Caviar we would certainly go overseas because everywhere he’s got to go domestically, she’s going to be there unfortunately,” Hayes said.
“If (trainer) Peter Moody kindly took her overseas we’d probably stay here.
“But I think our horse will be competitive and run very well and we should be heading to Dubai.”
Eagle Falls will be ridden by three-time Newmarket-winning jockey Damien Oliver whose wins were aboard Schillaci (1992), Toledo (2001) and Alinghi (2005).
Hayes said the dead (5) track and improving conditions were ideal for Eagle Falls and that he had drawn perfectly in the outside barrier, jumping from gate 11 after the scratching on Friday morning of Hay List due to soreness in his off-side shoulder.
Luke Nolen, who won the Newmarket on Wanted last year and is after his 16th career Group One success, said he didn’t see Black Caviar having to carry topweight of 58kg as a huge task.
“She’s a big, strong, gross mare and I think she will do it well,” he said.
He said the powerful mare, who has won six races at 1200m and three at 1000m, was better at 1200m than 1000m.
“And you all saw how well she won first-up at five furlongs (1000m) in the Lightning Stakes,” he said.
Striving to maintain her unbeaten record and make it 10 straight wins, Black Caviar has firmed from $1.25 to $1.18 with TAB Sportsbet following the withdrawal of Hay List.
Star Witness is at $14, Beaded at $21 with Eagle Falls, Hinchinbrook and Response at $26.
AAP TURF
