Lindsay Park aren't conceding the Blamey Stakes to Darren Weir
Lindsay Park never shies away from a contest.
Many a stable would already have conceded Saturday’s Blamey Stakes at Flemington to Melbourne’s leading trainer Darren Weir who has a strong hand in the seven-horse 1600m Group Two race.
Weir has the $2.10 Luxbet.com favourite Black Heart Bart supported by Tosen Stardom at $3 and Palentino at $5.50 with his other runner Real Love at $21.
Last year’s winner He Or She ($15) runs for Lindsay Park along with stable newcomer Harlem ($26) while Sir Issac Newton ($15) rounds out the field for trainer Robert Hickmott.
Junior Lindsay Park trainer Ben Hayes says He Or She has had a faultless campaign.
He Or She returned with victory in the Group Three Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap at Flemington on March 4 and according to Hayes has trained on strongly.
“He went back to Euroa after his win and came back down on Monday,” Hayes said.
“He looks like he’s improved off the win and he’ll be hard to beat again.”
Harlem makes his Australian debut on Saturday with Hayes saying the stable hopes he may be their Melbourne Cup horse in the spring.
The five-year-old won two of his eight starts in France for Andre Fabre before joining Lindsay Park and will race in the same colours carried by Redkirk Warrior, winner of last Saturday’s Newmarket Handicap.
Hayes expects the 1600m on Saturday to be too short but as long as he’s finishing the race off the stable will be happy.
“He’s more of a stayer and this might be on the short side for him but his trials and work at home of late have been really good,” Hayes said.
“We’re just going to ride him quiet and let him finish off and see what he can do.
“We’re hoping he might be a Melbourne Cup horse.”
Foundation is another import making his debut for Lindsay Park on Saturday in the March Stakes (1400m).
Hayes said like Harlem, Foundation will find the journey too short of Saturday.
“He was a one-time Derby favourite in England,” Hayes said.
“He showed a lot of promise but at his last couple of starts he was a bit colty and so they gelded him and sent him to us.”
