An advantageous barrier is a prized asset, most notably on venues with compact turns.
Hence, Lindsay Park swiftly decided to eliminate Plymouth from the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) held last Saturday, even with the prize including a ballot exemption for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) this October.
Plymouth, prepared by Ben, Will and J D Hayes, was allocated barrier 17 in that Mornington Cup, while Kings Valley from gate 6 triumphed and gained the Caulfield Cup qualification.
Following the scratch at Mornington, Plymouth pivots to the 2000m Benchmark 100 at Flemington on Saturday.
Ben Hayes expressed disappointment over the Mornington no-go but stressed the barrier’s difficulty for the gelding.
“Unfortunately, 17 over 2400 metres at Mornington, we didn’t feel it was right,” he said.
“He needed a nice barrier. Last start he drew well and we ended up too far back, so we decided to scratch from Mornington, and we will head towards the 2000-metre race at Flemington on Saturday.
“After that, and depending on his performance, he could then head towards the Warrnambool Cup.”
Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on May 7 represents a target, one Lindsay Park took out in 2019 via Furrion with David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig training.
Plymouth entered his last run with creditable results.
Second in March 20’s Albury Cup, he was then 12th of 14 in April 3’s Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield won by Ambassadorial.
“He’s fine and it was just the barrier why we didn’t run,” Hayes said.
“It’s very hard from out there, especially at Mornington.”
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