DAVID Hayes believes the time is ripe for Vega Magic to be unleased for the first time with blinkers on in this Saturday’s Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Hayes said he had kept the use of blinkers up his sleeves for sometime with Vega Magic and he’s confident he’ll do enough on Saturday to gain one of the three unfilled slots in the $ 13 million The Everest.
“I think he’ll be a better horse with the blinkers on and he’ll catch the eye of Everest slot holders on Saturday. I think they could do a lot worse than him,” Hayes said.
“Early in his career in Perth he won a trial in them by 13 lengths. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.”
Last Friday, Vega Magic wore the blinkers in a 800m jump-out at Flemington.
“He won by two lengths and recorded the fastest time of the morning.’’
Vega Magic recorded 47.98 seconds with the second fastest of the 12 trials, won in a time of 48.31 seconds.
Damien Oliver rode him to victory and will ride again on Saturday.
Vega Magic hasn’t started since he finished eighth in the Goodwood Stakes, which has been his only start this season.
Hayes said Vega Magic was likely to have two runs to gain a spot in The Everest.
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He said he was likely to follow the same path as last year with Vega Magic with the Memsie Stakes, which he won last year, as his second run in for the campaign.
Last year Vega Magic then ran second to Redzel in the inaugural The Everest last year.
There were 13 nominations for the Bletchingly Stakes including a quintet of Darren Weir sprinters which are Black Heart Bart, Camdus, Man From Uncle, Nature Strip and Voodoo Lad.
Hayes said Redkirk Warrior would have “a working holiday” in England before returning to Australia where he would be set for the Darley Classic.
Hayes said last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time and also Australian Cup winner Harlem were on track to resume in the Group 2 P.B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 18.
