David Hayes doesn’t hold any fears as Keen Array lines up for the first turf track run of his campaign at Caulfield.
The Bel Esprit three-year-old has scored emphatic wins on synthetic tracks at his past two starts and heads to the TROA Supports National Jockeys Trust Plate on Saturday as the shortest-priced early favourite for the meeting.
Bookmakers have him a clear-cut $2.25 favourite to continue the winning streak.
Keen Array opened his campaign with a seven-length win in maiden company at Geelong on August 14 before recording an eight-length win at Pakenham on September 3.
Both races were over 1000m and he stretches out to 1100m.
Hayes has had success with his team switching from the synthetic surfaces at Geelong and Pakenham to the turf.
It was highlighted by the win of Stay With Me which stepped from a maiden success at Pakenham to a Listed win at Moonee Valley on September 5 and the placing of Faatinah on the turf at Pakenham on Wednesday behind Caulfield Guineas hope Mr Individual.
“Going from the synthetic hasn’t worried Stay With Me, hasn’t worried Faatinah and I think the good ones adjust to it easily,” Hayes said.
“They all started so short in their races because they had trialled so well on the grass leading into their dirt races.
“I think they are all better horses on the grass.”
Hayes said the synthetic track at Pakenham was softer than the one at Geelong, noting his horses are more consistent at the latter venue.
While he may have some queries on the form of the horses Keen Array has defeated, he is heartened the form has held up and goes into Saturday’s race full of confidence.
“I can say my horse is going pretty well,” he said.
