Makram returns for winter cameo
Lindsay Park trainers Ben and J D Hayes have taken a different approach to start the brief winter campaign of Makram at Flemington.
Having undergone fetlock surgery post his spring campaign, the Hayes brothers have elected to start Makram off over 1600m in the VJA Winter Championship Trophy on Saturday.
An Irish-bred import that raced in UK before arriving in Australia, Makram's two previous first-up runs had been at 1400m which he had found too short.
However, with those 1400m contests under the belt, Makram came out at his next start to win each time over 1700m at Flemington.
The most recent of those was defeating Hezashocka last September.
"He's a horse that generally needs a run before he gets to peak fitness," Ben Hayes said.
"But his mannerisms have been very good this prep, more relaxed, so hopefully that translates to a good campaign for him.
"We've also decided to kick him off over a mile this campaign. That's more his trip.
"Over the 1400 metres when starting off his previous two campaigns, he was outsprinted, but then he came out and won second-up at 1700m at Flemington both times.
"He does have a big weight, but he could run very well fresh, and hopefully we should see him finishing off strongly.
"The idea is to just give him one or two runs and then back-off off for the spring.
"We just wanted to get him in and moving after the surgery."
Makram showed staying promise last campaign, finishing second in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield before coming from back in the field when third to Melbourne Cup runner-up Emissary in the Listed Geelong Cup (2400m).
The gelding underwent his surgery after that run but showed he was ready for a return to the track with an 1100m trial win at Tatura on May 9.
Stablemate So Si Bon, also an acceptor in Saturday's race, will head to Adelaide instead to contest the Group 3 R A Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville.
"He's never been across to Adelaide before. He's been to Sydney and Brisbane, so we thought we'd try something different with him," Hayes said.
More Racing News
Magnaspin finds winning form at Caulfield races
Magnaspin’s long-awaited return to the winner’s stall came at Caulfield on Saturday after a well-executed front-running ride from Jamie Melham. The gelding, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, led from early and showed plenty of determination to claim the A Caulfield Kind Of Summer Handicap (2000m). Melham took control...
Chilly Girl races into Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 with Widden Stakes win
Chilly Girl showed her toughness and talent when leading all the way to claim the Widden Stakes at Rosehill, producing a performance full of grit. Despite being pressured early by favourite Miss Scandal, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained filly refused to yield and found plenty in the straight to hold...
Wrote To Arataki claims a second Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
Matthew Williams’ decision to reset Wrote To Arataki after a challenging spring was rewarded when the mare delivered a first-up Stakes success at Caulfield. The Warrnambool trainer celebrated as Wrote To Arataki secured her second Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m), adding another highlight to her consistent career. It was the mare’s...
Hidrix equal Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 favourite after a dominant debut
Chris Waller has unveiled another serious Golden Slipper contender after Hidrix produced a commanding debut performance at Rosehill. The colt stamped himself as a major player for the world’s richest two-year-old race as favourite Incognito failed to fire, finishing well down the order. Incognito’s jockey Tommy Berry reported the colt may have...
Blue Diamond Stakes 2026 beckons for unbeaten Big Sky
Big Sky has stamped himself as a leading Blue Diamond contender after a dominant performance at Caulfield for the Mick Price and Michael Kent stable. The colt now sits atop markets for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes following his commanding win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes. Stablemate Guest House is...
Big Sky out to cement 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes credentials
Trainer Robbie Griffiths believes Invincible Son is set to take another step forward when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. The colt finished third behind Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five on debut and now continues his path toward the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes. Griffiths...
Jolly pair to tackle delayed 2026 Durbridge Stakes
Trainer Richard Jolly says patience has paid off after his two runners avoided any setbacks following the postponement of last week’s Morphettville meeting. Klabel and Great Maximus will both contest the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) on Saturday after the race was delayed due to extreme heat conditions. Jolly admitted the extra week...
Griffith makes Compelling case for sprinter’s return in 2026 JRA Plate
Trainer Mack Griffith is confident his pair can outperform their odds when they line up at Randwick on Saturday. Compelling Truth is the outsider in the Group 3 JRA Plate, while Crown Legend will contest the Highway Handicap at similar prices. Despite being marked at $26, Compelling Truth has previously beaten high-class...
Fitter Samangu ready to pounce in 2026 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
After two runs back from a lengthy break, Grahame Begg believes Samangu is now ready to produce her best performance when she contests the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. The mare returned to racing in December after nine months off and initially struggled to find her rhythm. Begg expected...
Invincible Son out to take 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes step
Trainer Robbie Griffiths believes Invincible Son is set to take another step forward when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. The colt finished third behind Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five on debut and now continues his path toward the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes. Griffiths...