It has been a long time between wins in the Australian Guineas for Lindsay Park which Ben, Will and J D Hayes hope to rectify on Saturday.
Ndola will represent the stable in the Group 1 1600m event at Flemington, looking to become Lindsay Park’s first winner in the race since Miss Finland in 2007, prepared by David Hayes.
The Australian Guineas was first run in 1986, with Lindsay Park claiming three of the first five stagings of the event, winning with Military Plume (1987), King’s High (1989) and Zabeel (1990), all in the care of Colin Hayes.
Ndola heads to the Australian Guineas third-up on Saturday, having finished last first-up at Sandown on January 25 before a vastly improved effort when chasing home Sepals, an opponent on Saturday, in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) on February 8.
Ben Hayes said the team had seen considerable improvement from Ndola from his first-up run to his second-up outing and further improvement again leading into Saturday’s contest.
“He came out of that last race really well after having the widest draw,” Hayes said.
“I think it’s exciting seeing him third-up at the mile and his run in the C S Hayes was enormous and the way he pulled up from it, he’s ready for this race.”
Ndola steps to the 1600m journey of the Guineas for the first time on Saturday.
Hayes said he does not believe the trip will pose a problem, having won over 1400m in the spring and then finishing second at that trip last time out.
Ndola was being prepared for a tilt at the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in the spring, but the stable felt he was not mature enough at that time for the race.
“He’s a big, lengthy, strong colt and he’s been targeted at this race,” Hayes said.
“He had a little set-back early, but we loved the way him improved from his first-up run into his second-up run and is right back on track.
“He had immaturity problems in the spring, and he benefitted from a good break.
“We did the right thing by him, so hopefully he can repay us, and we think getting back on a firm track on Saturday will suit him.
“He’s got the ability to do it and off the ratings that looks the form race from his last start.
“We’re confident that he’ll run really well.”
