Lindsay Park is optimistic that Beast Mode will perform well in the Carlyon Stakes at Sandown, particularly with the advantageous weight assignment.
The preferred scenario for Beast Mode would have been competing at Moonee Valley for the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes.
However, with Moonee Valley undergoing significant renovations and slated to be offline for approximately another year, the 1000-metre dash of the Carlyon Stakes will be contested at Sandown’s Hillside track this year.
The Lindsay Park training outfit, consisting of Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, has Beast Mode in fine fettle. Ben Hayes conveyed the team’s profound disappointment that the race would not be hosted at Moonee Valley, the track where Beast Mode has achieved his past two victories.
“It was the perfect track for him,” Hayes expressed.
While Moonee Valley might be the ideal track for the sprinter, Beast Mode does possess a winning record at Sandown over the 1000-metre distance.
In four prior appearances at the track and trip, Beast Mode has only failed to place once.
Hayes mentioned that the downhill section of the Sandown course suits Beast Mode.
“He’s a fast horse, so let fast horses be fast,” Hayes stated.
“He can get rolling early and I reckon he can run well.
“We’re happy with him.”
The Carlyon Stakes has been elevated from Listed status to Group 3 for the 2026 running.
The two previous winners of the race, Baraqiel and Mornington Glory, went on to claim victory in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
The Moir Stakes is also being held at Sandown this year, two weeks after Saturday’s event, and could be a future target for Beast Mode.
However, the immediate focus is on the Carlyon Stakes, especially after the sprinter’s most recent outing in Sydney where he carried 61kg and secured third place.
Beast Mode is set to carry 57kg in Saturday’s race.
“He ran super,” Hayes commented regarding his Sydney performance.
“He got run over late. He was a month between runs, no trial.
“This time it’s two weeks into the Carlyon, plus he gets a little drop in weight.”
Beast Mode has drawn barrier three and will be ridden by Blake Shinn.
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