The Lindsay Park training partnership of Ben, Will and J D Hayes is mapping out a measured return for Nervous Witness before considering loftier targets.
The gelding was trained in Hong Kong by David Hayes before returning to Australia at the end of 2024 to join the Hayes brothers’ operation.
Following four jump-outs and trials, Nervous Witness is ready to resume, with plans to travel to Sydney on Saturday for a Benchmark 94 handicap over 1000m at Randwick.
That run will be used as a guide to whether the Group 1 Victorian sprints come into play, including the Lightning Stakes (1000m), the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and the Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
Nervous Witness produced an eye-catching seven-length trial win on Thursday over horses such as Wonder Boy, Treasurethe Moment and Sneaky Sunrise, although Ben Hayes urged caution when assessing the margin.
“As we saw in his trial, he’s got a high cruising speed and he’s always been a horse that trials very well, so don’t let that trick you,” Hayes said.
“But for me, it was exciting to see because it looks like he’s got that enthusiasm back.
“He was a boom Hong Kong sprinter, he had a great record, but towards the end Dad just felt he had lost him, but we think we’ve found him again.
“We were able to give him a good break, and they don’t get that opportunity in Hong Kong to go out in the paddock.
“He’s been here a while. We built him up to the trial stage then tipped him out and built him up again and he’s now ready to go to the races.
“There’s a nice race in Sydney, a (benchmark) 94 over 1000 metres next Saturday, and he should get in beautifully there.
“If he was to run well, we could back him up in the Lightning Stakes (at Flemington the following week) or in the Oakleigh Plate two weeks later, then there is the Newmarket, and he should get in with no weight.”
Lindsay Park has previously enjoyed success with former Hong Kong gallopers returning to win Melbourne sprint features.
Redkirk Warrior captured the Newmarket Handicap first-up in 2017 before returning the following year to complete the Lightning–Newmarket double.
“It would be nice to do something similar,” Hayes said.
“Redkirk Warrior was a bit younger as this guy is an eight-year-old now, but he’s a very fast horse and he loves the straight.
“We’re very happy to have him in the stable, that’s for sure.”
Those assessing Australian betting sites will watch Nervous Witness closely if he performs to expectations first-up.
The post Small steps to start former HK galloper Nervous Witness first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
