Stoli Bolli out to turn fortunes around in McKenzie Stakes
The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and J D Hayes hope to get one back on a rival Cranbourne stable when Stoli Bolli lines up in a Stakes race at Moonee Valley.
Stoli Bolli chased home the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Daggers at Moonee Valley on August 24 and in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on Saturday the gelding has to tackle that colt’s unbeaten stablemate Epimeles.
Daggers and Epimeles are unbeaten in their two starts for Busuttin and Young and the Lindsay Park boys are banking on race fitness being to their advantage on Saturday.
Epimeles is resuming on Saturday, having not raced since April, while Stoli Bolli will be having the third run of his campaign.
Stoli Bolli has drawn the outside gate on Saturday, a barrier that is of little concern to Ben Hayes.
“I thought he was fantastic last time and deserves his shot at Black Type,” Hayes said.
“He missed the start and then got a bit keen and was then unlucky and I think if he had of had clear running, he would have pushed the winner.
“I don’t know if he would have won, but he would have pushed it, and that winner is pretty good.
“He’s drawn a better gate this time and hopefully we’ll be able to have him a little bit closer without missing the start and if he relaxes, he’ll have that good turn of foot.
“He’s third-up and ready to go and we’re confident that he can be competitive at Stakes level.
“He deserves his opportunity.”
Stoli Bolli showed a touch of class in his debut win at Geelong in early August before bumping into Daggers at Moonee Valley.
Hayes said he has seen what Epimeles is capable of having witnessed him back in April, but that galloper now must reproduce it the spring.
“Everyone has opinions of their horses at this time of year, so you have to race them against each other to find out which is the best one,” Hayes said.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...