The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and J D Hayes has broken through for a timely win with the victory of Oak Hill at Caulfield.
The sprinter’s success in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) on Saturday was the stable’s first in the metropolitan area since Vivacissimo and Crocodile gave it a double at Sandown on January 21.
Lindsay Park endured a tough January, not only on the track, but through the bushfires that devastated Victoria and burnt through a significant portion of the Lindsay Park property resulting in horses having to be moved.
J D Hayes said Oak Hill’s victory was certainly timely with the events that occurred at their training property at Creighton’s Creek.
Ridden by Damian Lane, Oak Hill ($4.60) scored a long-head victory from Don’t Hope Do ($9) with the $2.70 favourite Hedged, an unlucky third, a further 1-ÂŒ lengths away.
“We are definitely happy to put January behind us and that was a terrific effort,” Hayes said.
“I thought he put the writing on the wall last start with his return run. We’ve taken all the gear off his head and he’s just starting to really learn his craft.
“He’s a late learner and a horse that we inherited from the late, great, Mike Moroney and he is getting better each preparation.
“And it’s great to get Damian Lane back on board. He won quite a few races on him and it’s always good to get a winner for Rupert Legh in those colours.”
Hayes said the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 21 under handicap conditions was now an option for Oak Hill.
Lane has a good affinity with Oak Hill being aboard the sprinter in five of his eight wins.
He said the gelding would adapt to the hustle and bustle of the Oakleigh Plate should the Hayes brothers elect to go down that route.
“He’s always had the talent and you can put him a touch closer and he’s got the turn-of-foot still,” Lane said.
“He’d handle it (Oakleigh Plate) well. He’s got that experience now in short course racing, hustle and bustle, and now that he’s more mature in the mind that’ll help him, and it will set up well.”
