A step up in distance is what the trainers at Lindsay Park hope will assist Think ‘N’ Fly to provide them with their first city winner in Victoria.
Since taking over the reins at Lindsay Park following Tom Dabernig’s decision to go it alone, Ben and JD Hayes have produced five winners, but as yet have not troubled the scorers in town.
Think ‘N’ Fly could be that runner to break their maiden tag when he runs in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1700m) on Saturday.
The rising five-year-old son of So You Think runs for the third time this preparation on Saturday and according to Ben Hayes will be ideally suited by the 1700m journey.
Think ‘N’ Fly could have run at Flemington last week over 1600m, the same course and (almost) distance he was beaten over by Degraves on June 19.
Damien Oliver, who again rides Think ‘N’ Fly on Saturday, protested unsuccessfully against Degraves last start.
“We’ve purposefully waited for this race at Caulfield over 1700 metres as we think will be ideal for him,” Hayes said.
“He was really strong through the line last time and we thought we were a bit unlucky in the protest not to get the result.
“He’s trained on beautifully, he’s third-up at the 1700 metres and hopefully it will be his day.
“Damien has ridden him nearly his whole career. He’s got a connection with the owner as well, but he’s a good jockey to have on, one of the best riders in Australia.”
Think ‘N’ Fly has been lightly-raced and will be lining up for his 17th start on Saturday.
“He’s taken a lot of time to develop and I think this is the prep where he will really start improving,” Hayes said.
“I think he’s shown that in both runs this time in.”
