Lindsay Park might be throwing Evaporate into his toughest assignment of the Spring, but Ben Hayes has full confidence the talented four-year-old can measure up against star pair Jimmysstar and Angel Capital in Saturday’s $1 million CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.
The son of Per Incanto essentially forced the stable’s hand, convincing them he deserved a shot at the 1400-metre Group 1. His strong third in the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) — the race that had been his primary spring aim — left Hayes impressed with how well he bounced out of the run.
“That’s the reason we’ve decided to run, he came back from Sydney and trotted up 100 percent sound and looked a million dollars, so we had no hesitation at all,” Hayes said, who trains alongside brothers Will and JD.
“It’s a small but very good field, but we’ve always had a high opinion of him.”
Evaporate now chases his first Group 1 victory in the weight-for-age Orr Stakes, which is being run in November for the first time after previously occupying a February slot on the calendar.
The gelding’s Golden Eagle placing — little more than 1½ lengths behind the unbeaten Autumn Glow — followed his narrow second in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). That result turned the tables after he had earlier beaten Transatlantic in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m).
His campaign began with a fifth placing in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) on August 16, and he now returns to 1400 metres for the first time since that outing. Hayes believes the drop back in trip will not hinder him, even from the second-widest barrier in the field of seven.
“I actually like it, I think the wide draw will work in his favour in the small field,” he said.
“Being one of the last to load will help him. It’s going to be a really tactical race. If he can jump well and, as long as he can get galloping room and get himself in a good rhythm, I think he’ll be very competitive.”
Evaporate will again be partnered by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jamie Melham. Angel Capital jumps from the gate immediately inside him, while Jimmysstar is drawn favourably in barrier three.
Compare odds for the CF Orr Stakes at the JHR bookmakers page.
