With regular rider Blake Shinn suspended, Lindsay Park has called on star jockey Mark Zahra to partner Oak Hill in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
While the Carlyon doesn’t carry the prestige of a Melbourne Cup or Caulfield Cup, it is an important black type sprint that could further enhance Oak Hill’s growing record.
Zahra has yet to win the race since its elevation to listed status in 2011, while Lindsay Park last claimed the Carlyon in 2018 with Faatinah. Back then, Ben Hayes trained in partnership with his father David Hayes and cousin Tom Dabernig. Now joined by brothers Will and JD, Hayes will be aiming for another success with Oak Hill.
The gelding is unbeaten in two starts for Lindsay Park, including a dominant first-up win over course and distance in benchmark 100 company on August 9. That followed a victory at Caulfield in May after transferring from previous trainers Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson.
Oak Hill has an exceptional record at The Valley, winning four of five appearances, and will now chase a breakthrough stakes victory. His only prior black type attempt came in the Listed Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in March, where he finished midfield before placing second behind Midwest in the Country Discovery (1000m) at Echuca.
Ben Hayes said another strong performance could propel Oak Hill into Group 1 company. “If Oak Hill can continue on his upward spiral and complete back-to-back Moonee Valley wins, then the Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 6 is likely to be on the agenda.”
Hayes added the gelding had trained on well since his return win. “We took him back to the farm and he did a bit of striding work towards the end of last week, and he’s freshened up well. He’s got a great record at The Valley, he’s nearly undefeated there and he didn’t have long off after his last prep so he’s got a base on him. I think it’s a nice race to target and if we’re really happy with him then we’ll head towards the Moir. He’s a beautiful, big, strong horse that’s nice and sharp, so I think he deserves his shot.”
Punters can follow Oak Hill’s stakes test in the Carlyon Stakes, with odds available through Australia’s top betting sites.