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
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...