WET tracks have put a damper on David Hayes’ Group 1 chances in Sydney this autumn but the champion trainer is upbeat Harlow Gold or Almoonqith can turn the stable’s fortunes around at Randwick this Saturday.
The Hayes stable has saddled up several Group 1 fancies in Sydney in recent weeks but persistent wet tracks have impacted most of their best chances — namely Catchy in the Golden Slipper and Redkirk Warrior in the Doncaster Mile.
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Harlow Gold (third in the Vinery Stud Stakes) and Tulip (third in the Golden Slipper) have been the closest the stable has come to landing a Group 1 victory in Sydney this autumn but Hayes is confident Almoonqith (Sydney Cup) and Harlow Gold (Australian Oaks) can breakthrough this weekend.
Harlow Gold comes off a gallant third in the Vinery Stud Stakes and Hayes is just hoping for a drying track this weekend.
Trainer David Hayes is hoping his Group 1 luck changes at Randwick on Saturday.Source:AAP
“I thought Regan (Bayliss) pushed the button a bit early (in the Vinery) and he had the race in his keeping and went early,” he said. “I would just love the weather to come good at some stage (this week).
“She got through (the heavy ground) pretty well in the Vinery and you would never scratch her but you would prefer her on top of the ground. The drier it is, the more confident I would be.”
Harlow Gold, who worked on the Randwick course proper on Tuesday, finished second behind Lasqueti Spirit in last spring’s Crown Oaks (2500m), so the rise to 2400m should pose her no concerns this weekend.
“She was the best finisher in the Crown Oaks, so she will definitely stay,” Hayes said. “This is the race we set her for and in the Vinery she went pretty damn close, so hopefully she will step up for us.”
Almoonqith has been set for the Sydney Cup. Picture: Colleen PetchSource:News Corp Australia
Almoonqith comes into the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on the back of a seventh in the Mornington Cup (2400m) and Hayes insists “he will run a lot better than people think”.
“He has been set for this race right along,” he said. “His form is pretty good out of Sandown and it will be the first time he is at his right distance. He never runs well short (of his best distance) but if the track is heavy he probably won’t run.”
The Randwick track was rated a heavy 9 on Tuesday but the weather should improve heading into the weekend.
Originally published as Hayes hopes weather clears for double shot
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