The two-year-old race at Moonee Valley on the last Saturday of the year in 2023 proved a good one of Lindsay Park, so it is no shock it again has strong representation this year.
The renowned juvenile operation will start three members of the stable; Neverenoughlego, Night Flash and Regor.
The Hayes team won the equivalent race last year with Jenni’s Meadow, who went on to win the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final as a two-year-old and was Group 3-placed during the spring.
JD Hayes is optimistic that members of this year’s team can also graduate to bigger races and is particularly keen to see what he and his co-trainers, brothers Ben and Will, get from their debutant Regor.
The son of Extreme Choice, who at $360,000 was the highest-priced colt at this year’s Magic Millions sale in Adelaide, has impressed in two 800m Flemington jumpouts in December.
“He was an impressive trial winner, he was one of the sale-toppers in Adelaide, so he’s a beautiful type and he’s just pleased ever since Day 1,” Hayes said.
“He’s a horse with plenty of upside, we feel.”
The $150,000 Drummond Golf Handicap (1200m) is down to a field of 10 following the scratching of Autumn Mystery and Imzada, which brings Regor into barrier five.
Jamie Mott will partner the colt who is $6 second favourite behind Neverenoughlego ($5), who will start to Regor’s immediate outside and has the services of Craig Williams.
The Ole Kirk colt is lining up for start number two after a debut second to Aleppo Pine at Ballarat on December 7.
“He’s super and has improved,” Hayes said of the $130,000 Inglis Classic Sale buy.
“There’s a small plan in place to potentially get to that $2m Inglis Select Sale race, the Millennium, so he’s possibly headed that way.”
Night Flash is the only other runner in the race who is not on debut, having finished third, when beaten 2-3/4 lengths, at Geelong on December 5.
The son of Harry Angel, who cost $60,000 at Inglis Premier, will be ridden by Billy Egan and start from gate three.
