The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and Jd Hayes may not have the same Victoria Derby Day firepower as their father once had, but they are looking at hopefully walking away with a major prize that has eluded the stable.
In his first year after taking over from his father Colin at Lindsay Park 35 years ago, David Hayes won an incredible six races on Derby Day, two Group 1’s, three Group 2′ and a Group 3.
Now training in Hong Kong, David Hayes will be watching on as his boys’ saddle runners in six of the nine races on the Derby Day card at Flemington on Saturday.
The one that holds the most importance is Tycoon Star in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), a race that will cement the future of the winner at stud.
Lindsay Park is yet to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes since it was granted Group 1 status in 2006 and shifted to the opening day of Melbourne Cup week.
Ben Hayes said Saturday’s race had been on Tycoon’s Star radar from the time he commenced his campaign in August.
Tycoon Star showed his class as a two-year-old winning down the straight on Melbourne Cup Day last year in the Maribyrnong Plate and then later finishing third in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Starting his three-year-old year with a second in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield, Tycoon Star went on to the McNeil Stakes at that track before his next two starts over 1100m were down the Flemington straight, finishing third and fifth respectively.
While it has been a long build-up to Saturday, Hayes said it had been strategically worked out.
“It has been the race that we’ve wanted to end up at,” Hayes said.
“From his past couple of starts, punters have probably gone from him being a chance to not being good enough.
“He had a trial last week. He went really well, and I think he will enjoy a little more give in the track.
“He’s a horse that could surprise. He’s good enough, we just need to make sure he does things right through the race and finishes off strong.”
Tycoon Star finished fifth against Coolmore Stud opponents Mcgaw, My Gladiola, Tentyris and Legacy Bound most recently and Hayes said the four weeks between runs was ideal for the colt.
The Lindsay Park team has also tinkered with some head gear, replacing winkers with visors.
“We always wanted to go a month into the race with a trial, which is exactly what we’ve done,” Hayes said.
“I’ve seen a lot of horses win at big odds in big races down the straight and he’s a winner down the straight, so he can certainly surprise.”