The Lindsay Park trio of Ben, Will and JD Hayes might not possess the sheer Derby Day dominance their father once displayed, but they head into Saturday at Flemington knowing a major prize is within reach.
When David Hayes took control of Lindsay Park from his father Colin 35 years ago, he famously produced six winners on Victoria Derby Day — including two Group 1s, three Group 2s and a Group 3 — a record that still stands as one of the great training feats. Now based in Hong Kong, he will watch from afar as his sons take runners into six of the nine races this Saturday.
But the race that means the most is the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), where the stable saddles Tycoon Star — a colt they have long believed could measure up at the highest level.
The Coolmore, run on the opening day of Melbourne Cup week since 2006, has eluded Lindsay Park, but a victory would lock in Tycoon Star’s future at stud.
Ben Hayes said the Coolmore has been the target from the moment Tycoon Star returned to work in August.
As a two-year-old, Tycoon Star announced himself down the Flemington straight with victory in the Maribyrnong Plate on Melbourne Cup Day, later finishing third in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
His three-year-old campaign began with a second in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield before progressing to the McNeil Stakes, then returning down the straight in his last two runs over 1100m, where he finished third and fifth.
Hayes said every part of the preparation has been measured and deliberate.
“It has been the race that we’ve wanted to end up at,” Hayes said.
“From his past couple of starts, punters have probably gone from him being a chance to not being good enough.
“He had a trial last week. He went really well, and I think he will enjoy a little more give in the track.
“He’s a horse that could surprise. He’s good enough, we just need to make sure he does things right through the race and finishes off strong.”
Tycoon Star finished fifth behind Coolmore rivals Mcgaw, My Gladiola, Tentyris and Legacy Bound last start, and Hayes believes the four-week spacing is exactly what the colt needed.
The team has also made a subtle gear change, swapping winkers for visors in an effort to sharpen his focus.
“We always wanted to go a month into the race with a trial, which is exactly what we’ve done,” Hayes said.
“I’ve seen a lot of horses win at big odds in big races down the straight and he’s a winner down the straight, so he can certainly surprise.”
If you’re backing a runner in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, compare odds and bonuses via Australia’s top betting sites to get the best value.