A second-straight win at Caulfield from Kayjay’s Joy has convinced David Hayes the in-form mare deserves a shot at a Group race.
Kayjay’s Joy made it three wins from four starts since joining the Hayes and Tom Dabernig stable earlier this year with victory in Saturday’s Art Series Hotel Group Plate (1440m).
It was jockey Damian Lane’s third win from as many rides on Kayjay’s Joy and Hayes is looking to run the mare in the Group Three Ladies Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on October 14, a race Hayes won last year with Star Fashion.
“Her rating is creeping up high enough that she might be able to run in a black-type race for mares over the carnival now. So that’s what the plan is,” Hayes said.
“If we keep getting wickets here (at Caulfield), I’ll keep running her here.”
After settling midfield, Kayjay’s Joy chimed in three-wide turning for home before going on to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Belorum with favourite Real Time a long neck away third.
Dwayne Dunn praised the effort of three-year-old gelding Sun Flash who defied a three-wide run to narrowly win against older horses in a 1600m race.
“I got left hanging three-wide for the trip but it was a great effort by the horse, he dug deep,” Dunn said.
“He’s always shown at home he’s a top-class horse.”
The Nigel Blackiston-trained Amarela was unplaced in the Let’s Elope Stakes last start but relished a drop in class to post a 2-1/4 length win in the Champagne Pommery Handicap (1600m).
“She’ll win a better race than that,” jockey Luke Currie said.
Trainer Mick Price is planning to back up Invincible Heart in the Group Three Thoroughbred Club Stakes for fillies at Caulfield next Saturday after the three-year-old held on to win by a head in the Grand Hotel Frankston Handicap (1200m).
But the highest profile horse to step out at Caulfield during Saturday’s meeting was the Price-trained star sprinter Lankan Rupee who had an exhibition gallop between races.
Lankan Rupee, who galloped in company with Alpha Miss, will make his spring return in next Saturday’s Schillaci Stakes.
