The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and JD Hayes secured a one–two finish in the inaugural running of The Supernova, and they return this year hoping to go one better.

Last year’s edition of the $1 million slot race over 1400m at Pakenham was won by Here To Shock, with stablemate Arkansaw Kid finishing a brave second.

This time, Lindsay Park will saddle Roll On High, who finished fifth in last year’s race when trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

Ben Hayes said the stable was enthusiastic about defending their title, although they acknowledge a stronger challenge awaits with Private Eye representing the Joe Pride yard.

“We’re excited,” Hayes said.

“It’s not often you get to have three horses in a big race like this, especially a $1 million race like The Supernova and I think they are three genuine chances.

“We’ve clashed with Private Eye a number of times, and he’s had our measure, but we’re in form now and when we’ve met Private Eye before, he was the fit horse.”

Here To Shock used last year’s Supernova win as a springboard to Group 1 success in New Zealand, but his return to Australia proved winless until he scored over 1400m at Caulfield on November 29.

“His win the other day was up there with some of his better wins, I thought,” Hayes said.

“It was a great ride by Mark (Zahra), and he was strong through the line.

“It was the blowout he needed before we go back and hopefully defend our title and the way he came through the race, we’re very happy with him.”

Arkansaw Kid heads into Saturday’s race following a strong chase behind Jigsaw in Southside Racing’s other slot event, The Meteorite (1200m), at Cranbourne on November 22.

He had been freshened after finishing tenth in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) in September.

“He ran into one last start that is in very good form and outsprinted us around Cranbourne,” Hayes said.

“We freshened going into that race and probably just peaked on our fitness late, but still to run second and run a very good race like he did, we’re very happy with him.

“Going up to 1400 metres will be good and he wasn’t beaten far in this race last year.”

Roll On High joined the Lindsay Park stable this preparation and, after a pair of modest early runs, improved to run second during Cup week at Flemington before a fourth at Caulfield over 1600m on November 15. She then claimed a Bendigo barrier trial on December 1.

“She ran super over Cup week and then got beaten just over a length over the mile, which she’s been tried a lot at, and it sees her out,” Hayes said.

“Dropping back to 1400 metres, rock hard fit, a touch unlucky in the race last year for another stable, I think she’s a genuine top four chance.”

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