The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes concede the Moir Stakes will not be an easy assignment for Oak Hill, but the stable is confident the sprinter can turn around his form.
A first-up winner over the 1000m journey at Moonee Valley last month, Oak Hill returns to the track and trip for Saturday’s Group 1 contest looking to put behind him a disappointing fifth of seven when sent out favourite at his most recent outing.
That was in the Listed Carlyon Stakes and Ben Hayes said the stable had subsequently changed up Oak Hill’s training program to have the sprinter not as fresh going into Saturday’s race.
“We trusted him into the race, keeping him fresh, and he raced fresh,” Hayes said.
“This time, we’ve changed our training a little bit into this race. He’s been working well at home, he’s been super relaxed.
“You’re always learning with horses, and we trusted him. We trusted him into his first-up run and he was nice and relaxed and then we just wanted to keep him happy for last time with only two weeks between runs.
“I think with that last run, and a gallop on Monday, you will see a totally different horse.”
Hayes said Mark Zahra was a victim of circumstance at The Valley last time, but at the same time he was happy to have Blake Shinn back aboard the sprinter after the jockey guided Oak Hill in his first two wins for the stable.
And Hayes is not put off by drawing out in gate 11 in the 14-horse field.
“I think the wide draw is good for him,” Hayes said.
“There is good speed in the race. He’ll hopefully get in that three-wide line with a bit of cover.
“Last start, he missed the start a bit, ran up bums and was a little bit aggressive, plus he’s a momentum horse.
“He was building up momentum and then he got held up and had to go again. When horses over-race early, then they get their momentum stopped, it’s very hard for them to go again.
“It’s a hard race, but if he gets the right run, I think he will be in the finish.”
