The team associated with I Wish I Win are not the only ones sweating on a run in this week’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes with the horse who finished second to him last start also facing an uncertain week.
Gentleman Roy faces an even tougher task of gaining a start in the $1 million Group 1 following Monday’s entries and subsequent release of the order of entry.
The Ben and JD Hayes-trained gelding sits 30th in order of entry, 11 places below I Wish I Win.
The 1400-metre Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is limited to a field of 16 plus four emergencies.
“I’d love him to sneak in there,” Ben Hayes said.
“He went into that last race really underdone but he exceeded our expectations with his run because he is a horse that does need a bit of racing to bring him on.
“He came through that run much better than we expected, he ate up, his work since has been great so another run in a high pressure 1400 will suit him and he gets in with 52 kilos.
“If he does get in, he’ll be right in it.”
Gentleman Roy has been entered in Friday’s $100,000 Gold Nugget (1600m) at Ballarat in the event that he misses a start in the 2022 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
The son of So You Think produced a brave performance to box on for second, four lengths behind I Wish I Win, in the 1400m open handicap at Caulfield o August 27.
That was his first start since winning at Flemington in March and he boasts a record of 12 starts for six wins, three seconds and one third.
“His last six starts he’s either won or come second, he’s a marvel for what he’s done and he’s a progressive horse and hopefully he can press on to bigger and better things,” Hayes said.
Craig Williams might not know who he is riding in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes until Saturday morning’s scratching deadline with the star hoop to ride Gentleman Roy if he gets a run with his stablemate Aysar his mount if Gentleman Roy does not gain a start.
Aysar, an entire by Deep Field who is a half-brother to Home Affairs, will chase a valuable maiden Group 1 success following a drought-breaking win in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on September 3.
