Lindsay Park trainers Ben and J D Hayes have their eyes set on another stakes race for veteran galloper So Si Bon.
The Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) at Sandown on Boxing Day holds a special place for Lindsay Park as it was their first win with So Si Bon after the gelding made the move to their Euroa base from the stables of Robbie Laing.
That Lord Stakes win, after a maiden win on the Pakenham synthetic for Laing in 2017, was back in 2018 and came at his 11th start for Lindsay Park.
The rising nine-year-old heads to Sandown on Saturday to run in the Tile Importer Handicap (1600m) and a forward showing will confirm So Si Bon’s place at Sandown a little over two weeks later.
Ben Hayes said despite his rising years, So Si Bon was the soundest horse in the stable and has never required any veterinary attention.
It has been 18 months since So Si Bon last appeared in the winner’s circle, while on Saturday he will be coming off a last-place finish at Moonee Valley on October 21.
Hayes said the track was too firm for So Si Bon that night.
“We’re hoping we don’t get a rock-hard track for him on Saturday,” Hayes said.
“He’s drawn well. He’s had a jump-out between runs and trialled really well.
“His work on Wednesday was fantastic. He’s acting like a three-year-old, he’s fresh and I would be expecting him to put his hand up and run well.”
Luke Nolen, a two-time winner on the gelding, has the ride on Saturday.
“Luke and Mark Zahra probably have the best records on him. They get along well with him as he is a quirky horse,” Hayes said.
So Si Bon is currently rated a $19 chance in betting that sees emerging gallopers Detonator Jack ($1.85) and Green Fly ($3.10) heading the market being the only ones under double figures.
