The middle of winter is not usually a launchpad for Coolmore Stud Stakes success, but the Lindsay Park stable is hoping Hard Kick will buck that trend.
The emerging gelding is nearing the start of a campaign that has the $2 million Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds at Flemington on October 31 as its primary target.
Hard Kick, a son of All Too Hard, comfortably won an 800-metre jumpout at Werribee last Friday, following a quiet second in a Flemington jumpout two weeks prior. Co-trainer Will Hayes is enthusiastic about the gelding’s return to racing.
Having made just one previous start, a winning one in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) on February 14, Hard Kick is set to bring a measure of class to Flemington’s final meeting of the season.
“We’re going to look at a 1000-metre option for two-year-olds down the straight on the 18th of July,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers Ben and JD, said.
“We’re very happy and glad that we erred on the side of caution by not exposing him to the back-up into the (Blue) Diamond, because it’s been the best thing for him going forward.
“I can’t fault him in the way he’s built up, he looks a better version of himself and I think his trial spoke for itself.
“His trial suggests that he’s right where we need him to be.”
Hard Kick is currently rated the $8 third favourite in Coolmore Stud Stakes futures markets, behind only the Golden Slipper winner Guest House ($5) and Ciaron Maher’s highly-rated colt The Next Episode ($6).
“It will be the traditional three-year-old path on the way towards a race like the Coolmore,” Hayes explained.
“We do think he’s a horse that possesses incredible natural speed and we’re going to play to his strengths.”
Compare racing betting markets for the upcoming spring features at leading online bookmakers.