Seaburge resumes in Saturday's Group Three CS Hayes Stakes
A race at Flemington David Hayes would dearly love to win is the first-up target for dual Group One-placed colt Seaburge.
Seaburge resumes in Saturday’s Group Three CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) which is named in honour of the late trainer Colin Hayes.
Colin Hayes was the father of David Hayes and grandfather of Seaburge’s fellow co-trainers Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
“I would say the CS is a race I really want to win,” David Hayes said.
“I’d love to give the trophy to myself.”
In Seaburge, Hayes has a genuine chance to win the traditional Australian Guineas lead-up for the first time since it was renamed in 2008.
Seaburge won the Group Two VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes over the 1400m at Flemington last year while his spring campaign included a second in the Group One Caulfield Guineas and equal second placing in the $2 million Group One Emirates Stakes (formerly Mackinnon Stakes).
“He’s kicking off in the CS Hayes and he’s set for the Australian Guineas,” Hayes said.
Like Hayes’ former stable star Criterion, Seaburge is a son of the stallion Sebring and the trainer has always felt the colt had similarities to the multiple Group One winner.
“He’s reminding me more and more of Criterion, in the look and style of horse (he is),” Hayes said.
“He’s got really good form being a runner-up in the Caulfield Guineas and runner-up in the Mackinnon.
“I think he’s in for a big campaign.”
Seaburge shares the second line of Australian Guineas betting at $11 with Hey Doc who finished third in the Caulfield Guineas in the spring.
Sandown Guineas winner Morton’s Fork is at the head of the Australian Guineas market at $9.
