Bolter Boom Time wins Caulfield Cup

The break down of one-time favourite Admire Deus has led to Boom Time scoring a surprise win in the Caulfield Cup.

Lindsay Park had settled on three runners for Saturday $3 million handicap – He’s Our Rokkii, Ventura Storm and Harlem – before news filtered through of the breakdown of the Japanese import at Warrnambool on Tuesday morning.

A quick meeting led to senior trainer David Hayes, who also owns Boom Time, giving the go-ahead for the six-year-old to start in the world’s richest 2400m handicap.

Ridden by Cory Parish, Boom Time ($51) scored by 1-1/4 lengths from Single Gaze ($31) with the $5 favourite Johannes Vermeer a head away third to provide Hayes with his third Caulfield Cup and first in partnership with son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig.

Boom Time had finished fourth behind Lord Fandango in the Herbert Power Stakes last Saturday.

“He pulled up well but we weren’t going to run,” Hayes said.

“We thought he’d run well and he’d beat more than would beat him but I thought the stablemates had a bit more.

“We were watching trackwork and it wasn’t going to be a full field and we thought, let’s have a go.

“We did the sums and if he finished tenth we get our money back.”

Hayes took over the ownership of Boom Time following the Sydney Cup in April.

“I knew the horse had decent ability and I didn’t want to see him leave the property,” Hayes said.

Boom Time firmed from $101 to $26 to win the Melbourne Cup and Hayes said he’s likely to take his place on November 7.

“If he pulls up well why not go for the dream,” Hayes said.

“You don’t get many opportunities as an owner.

“Now my greediness is coming out.”

For 28-year-old Parish his first Group One victory came on the day he settled in Australia five years ago.

A New Zealander who had ridden in England, Parish headed to Seymour, in country Victoria, where he still lives.

He was riding for John Symons and 2001 Caulfield Cup-winning trainer Sheila Laxon before deciding on trying his luck at Lindsay Park.

Parish, who rides work at Lindsay Park five days a week, was to have ridden Alshahhad in the opening race at Randwick on Saturday until the decision was made to run Boom Time.

“I just get what I can. If they put me on they put on, if not I wait my turn,” Parish said.

“I just go with the flow and get what I can, the best I can.

Outside of the placegetters, Marmelo turned in an outstanding Melbourne Cup trial.

The English-trained stayer came from 14th on the turn to finish sixth – less than three lengths from the winner – and is now a $6.50 equal favourite to win the Melbourne Cup.