Lindsay Park import Sissoko to kick-off at Moonee Valley
Lindsay Park will learn more about imported galloper Sissoko after he makes his Australian debut at Moonee Valley.
A veteran of three starts in Ireland, Sissoko was purchased for a future career in Hong Kong, but after failing to settle into the Asian environment he was sent to Australia to continue his career.
Sissoko will kick-off for new trainers Ben, Will and J d Hayes in the Xtreme Freight Handicap (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday.
The son of Australia commenced his career in Ireland with Donnacha O’Brien before finding his way to Hong Kong, where after showing little in four trials, he was sent to Lindsay Park.
“He was purchased by a very good client of ours over the years Edmund Lee who has raced good horses here like Redkirk Warrior and Harlem,” Ben Hayes said.
“He was bought to go to Hong Kong, but Hong Kong’s environment didn’t suit him, so he was brought back to us.
“He’s had a few trials and jump-outs and looks a staying type of horse, so we’ll kick him off over 2000 metres on Saturday.
“He will probably need the run as he hasn’t raced for a long time, but he looks to have some nice ability and I think you’ll see the best of him when he gets out over further.”
Sissoko won a maiden two-year-old race over 1800m at The Curragh in October 2021 and has not raced since finishing second to Luxembourg in a Group 1 race at Doncaster later that month.
Luxembourg features among nominations for the 2023 Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate for Aidan O’Brien while Sissoko is an entrant for the Caulfield Cup.
Hayes said Sissoko appears an ideal 2400m and further type of horse and the stable is encouraged by the form the gelding has shown.
“We’ve put him in the Caulfield Cup, but at this stage we’re keeping our options open,” Hayes said.
“He needs to be winning and be impressive to be heading to those races, but I think he’ll be a good 2400-metre horse and possibly further again.
“I think he has a really good engine, so that is why we thought we would kick him off over 2000 metres.
“He’s had three trials, a couple of good hit-outs at home, but I think he might need the run and we’ll have to see if he handles The Valley, but it’s a good race to kick him off in.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...