Lindsay Park co-trainer David Hayes thinks he has the bases covered with two leading chances in a stakes race at Caulfield.
A wet track would enhance the chances of last year’s Lord Stakes winner Jacquinot Bay while if the rain stays away Hayes is of the opinion last-start winner Tashbeeh has the better prospects in Saturday’s Listed race.
Tashbeeh
Rain, with the possibility of a thunder storm, is forecast for race morning.
Jacquinot Bay won the Lord Stakes at Sandown last year beginning a winning streak of three races, the last of which came at Sandown last February.
The eight-year-old son of Galileo has raced 11 times since with his best efforts coming at Caulfield where he finished second on three occasions, the latest behind Kenjorwood over 1700m in September, the same distance as Saturday’s race.
Damien Oliver takes the ride from the widest barrier in the 16-horse field.
“If it rains it will suit him and will negate the bad barrier,” Hayes said.
“He’s all right on good ground but it slows a few of the others down a bit if it’s wet.”
On the other hand, four-year-old Tashbeeh struck form with a dominant victory over 1600m at Flemington on December 12.
Damian Lane takes the ride from barrier five with Tashbeeh dropping from 57kg to 54kg in the tougher grade.
“You would think the extra 100 metres wouldn’t worry him and I’d say he will get a good from that draw,” Hayes said.
Tashbeeh is the $4.60 favourite for the race while Jacquinot Bay shares the fourth line of betting at $9.
Asked to pick between the pair Hayes said: “If it’s wet I’d go for the old boy and dry, Tashbeeh.”
Meanwhile Star Witness two-year-old Observed will be racing for a trip to the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast when he lines up in the Joe Brown Plate.
A $13 chance for his debut run, the colt would need to win Saturday’s 1100m race to make the trip north for the $2 million race on January 9.
“He’s trialled well in private,” Hayes said.
“He’s a promising horse but he might just find it a little bit short.”
