Ben and J D Hayes and the Lindsay Park team are holding onto the slender hope of Makram gaining a start in the Caulfield Cup.
The imported galloper is second emergency in Saturday’s Group 1 2400m handicap after failing in his last ditch bid to gain a start by winning the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield last Saturday.
Makram finished second to Saracen Knight, beaten 1-¼ lengths, after being in the second half of the field turning for home and while he is yet to run on a heavy track, Makram does boast three wins on soft ground.
Ben Hayes knows what it is like to win the Caulfield sharing honours with his father David and cousin Tom Dabernig in 2017 with Boom Time.
David Hayes also won the Cup with Tawqeet in 2006 and Fraar in 1993.
“I was speaking to Dad after the race and he said that was a better run than Boom Time and his other Cup winners,” Ben Hayes said.
“We couldn’t be happier with his run.
“It would have been nice if something had taken him into the race. He was widest on the bend and hit the line strong. It was a great lead up run for the Caulfield Cup if we could get in.
“We won with Boom Time and if we can get in, we’ll run, if we don’t, we’ve got so many other options.
“We can look at Moonee Valley again, there’s the Geelong Cup, there’s the Bendigo Cup, head towards the Melbourne Cup, or there are options during Cup week.
“We can even head back to Caulfield at the end of the Carnival.”
Boom Time finished fourth in the Herbert Power and dropped 4.5kg into the Caulfield Cup a week later while Makram will drop 6kg from the 56kg he carried last week if he gains a run.
Makram has won twice in Australia, both times at Flemington, and had been earmarked as their Caulfield Cup horse by Lindsay Park after winning back in April.
Hayes said he had spoken to a couple of lightweight jockeys should Makram make the field, but added he needed to speak with the owners before a final decision was made.
