Hayes boys land second Victoria Handicap

Nicolini Vito has followed the lead of stablemate Here To Shock in winning the Victoria Handicap at Caulfield.

Will Hayes has likened Nicolini Vito to a fine wine after he landed a last stride victory in the Victoria Handicap at Caulfield.

The Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained galloper gave the Lindsay Park stable back-to-back wins in the Group 3 1400m handicap after Here To Shock scored last year.

Ridden by Luke Currie, Nicolini Vito ($11) weaved a passage down the Caulfield straight to score a half-head win from Miss Aria ($9.50) with Roll On High ($11) a short-neck away third.

A rising eight-year-old, Nicolini Vito has won nine of his 42 starts and is approaching the $1 million mark in prize money.

Hayes said Nicolini Vito may just be in for the best campaign of his career.

“He’s like a fine wine, he’s getting better as he gets older,” Hayes said.

“The key with him is that he is relaxing better in the early part of his races which is allowing him to hit the line strongly.

“I think he could go out in trip again.”

Saturday’s victory was Nicolini Vito’s first since scoring at Sandown last May, although he raced consistently last winter and through the spring.

Hayes praised Currie for his handling of Nicolini Vito.

“We just thought with the rise up to 1400 metres, we want to keep him in a rhythm, keep him comfortable,” Hayes said.

“He didn’t panic around the bend, he took all the runs that came and when the split came, he had the horse underneath him to really savage the line.

“It was a very impressive win.”

Currie said his thoughts on how the race would be run, did not eventuate.

He had hoped to be in the three-wide line, with cover before pulling out to the centre of the track in the straight.

“Being back on the fence wasn’t part of the plan, but I was lucky enough to pick our way through and get there in time,” Currie said.

“He was the easiest ride. He wasn’t bolting behind them, not crashing and banging. It was nice and easy for him and if the runs came for him, he was going to quicken.

“If they didn’t, then I would be getting the sack.”