Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes may now have to raise the bar even further with Shining Star after the colt extended his winning streak to four at Flemington.
Ending his spring campaign with a win at Caulfield, Shining Smile has returned this time in to record three wins at Stakes level.
After winning a Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Sandown and then the Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington, Shining Smile was dropped in trip before adding the Listed TAB We’re On (1000m) to his record with a strong performance on Saturday.
Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, Shining Smile ($3.40) scored a three-quarter length win over Prestige Forever ($21) with Marsept ($14) a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
J D Hayes said the stable may look to head to Sydney with Shining Star as the colt holds a nomination for the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in April.
Shining Smile is not among entries for the Golden Slipper.
Hayes said it was pleasing to see Shining Smile ridden in a different manner and prevail.
“He got a bit of cover which was great to see,” Hayes said.
“It was a beautiful ride by Daniel to get that little bit of wind protection there. He presented to the middle of the straight and was very strong late.
“That was a very polished performance and it’s a good effort by the horse to win four in a row.”
Shining Smile returns to Lindsay Park’s Euroa property after he races, and Hayes said jumps jockey Tom Ryan rides the colt in his work.
Hayes said Shining Smile had a strong constitution and recovers quickly from his races and work.
“He’s got a great constitution and just licks the bin every time,” Hayes said.
“Tom Ryan does a lot of work on this horse at home, and he said after his last piece of work that it was as good as he’s ever worked.
“We were confident going into today and very, very happy to see him coming back in first place.”
