Trainers often lament wide barriers but David Hayes believes it is an advantage for Fast `N’ Rocking in the season’s final Group race at Caulfield.
Fast `N’ Rocking was a luckless runner in the Group Three Sir John Monash Stakes (1200m) last start at Caulfield when he was blocked for a run on the fence and finished sixth behind Wild Rain.
The fast-finishing sprinter has barrier 11 of 12 for Saturday’s Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m).
“I think it is probably an advantage. He got blocked in last start, so he won’t get blocked in this time,” Hayes said.
“He’ll come down the outside.
“He should have probably finished second last start and might have nearly won.
“He never got out of second gear.”
Fast `N’ Rocking will be having his 13th start of the season with seven of those in Group One races.
He won a Listed sprint at Caulfield last spring while his Group One performances have included a third in the Winterbottom Stakes and fourth placings in the Manikato Stakes, William Reid Stakes and The Goodwood.
Fast `N’ Rocking is on the second line of betting at $3.80 behind the Darren Weir-trained Mahuta.
“I’m very happy with him and when you get him in the right race and the tempo is right, he normally runs well,” Hayes said.
Hayes and his training partner Tom Dabernig will finish second in the Victorian metropolitan trainers’ premiership.
They have 82 winners going into the final city meeting with Darren Weir heading to Caulfield on 106.
Hayes and Dabernig have a number of other runners on Saturday including the well-supported Wall Street Wolf who won a Geelong maiden by eight lengths at his second start earlier this month.
The gelding is the $2.70 favourite for the Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap (1400m) and Hayes is hoping he can win to improve his rating.
“He was impressive at Geelong,” Hayes said.
“He’s got to prove he’s got the temperament to go to the next level, but he’s got the ability.
“He’s just got to go there and be well behaved.”
Hayes said Wall Street Wolf showed in his first two race outings he could get a bit fizzy.
“He’s in great shape and he’ll run a very good race,” he said.
