Que Tempesta in Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup bid
The colours Que Tempesta carries are no stranger to Australian shores and the Lindsay Park team would love to win another feature race with them.
Redkirk Warrior and Harlem carried the colours of Edmund Lee to multiple Group 1 wins in Australia for Lindsay Park and Ben, Will and J D Hayes would like to keep the family tradition going.
Que Tempesta is the only horse from the Lindsay Park team to be entered for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup after Apulia and Aztec State fell by the wayside.
Ben Hayes knows what it is like to win the Caulfield Cup, sharing the honours with his father David and cousin Tom Dabernig in 2017 when Boom Time was successful.
Hayes said Que Tempesta gives the stable their best Caulfield Cup winning chance since.
“He’d be our best chance we’ve had in a while, and I just hope he gets there,” Hayes said.
“He’s moving well and we’re very happy, he’s a good horse, a good Caulfield Cup chance.
“I’d love to get there, but it all depends on how he runs Saturday.
“Hopefully he runs a good second, beaten an inch but if he gets a (weight) penalty (for winning) I don’t think it will be the end of the world.
“He’s massive, a big horse, he’ll carry weight.”
An Irish-bred galloper that raced in Italy before his purchase by Lee, Que Tempesta is due to have his second Australian start on Saturday in the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m).
Victory provides the winner a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19, although Que Tempesta is currently number 22 in the Order of Entry and has 53kg.
Que Tempesta ran on strongly at his Australian debut, finishing less than a length from his stablemate Rise At Dawn in fifth place in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) on August 31.
“His run in the Heatherlie was the shortest trip he’s ever run first-up,” Hayes said.
“There’s a bit of rain about, so having a track with a bit more give and going up to 2000 metres will be ideal.
“He’s trained on beautifully.”
More Racing News
Lockwood's filly Extreme Taste faces draw challenge
Trainer Barry Lockwood initially commented that there wasn't much to say about his filly Extreme Taste "because she hasn't won yet," but upon further discussion, he is considerably more positive about her chances of success at Ipswich on Wednesday.Extreme Taste, a maiden after three starts, is set to compete in...
Sir Les refining his racecraft under Carmody's guidance
Craig Carmody is diligently working with promising three-year-old Sir Les, aiming to harness the gelding's natural talent, a skill he witnessed with the horse's dam, Everage, who also achieved stakes success.Sir Les, by All Too Hard, displayed impressive form winning his first two outings before a narrow fifth-place finish in...
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...
Sheza Alibi's move back to Pakenham imminent
The serious phase of training is fast approaching for Sheza Alibi.The exciting filly is drawing near the end of her northern sojourn in Queensland and will soon be repatriated to the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.The daughter of Saxon Warrior journeyed north following her stunning victory...
Cellarmaster triumphs in a tight finish to claim the Winx Guineas
In a thrilling conclusion, Cellarmaster ($5.50) narrowly pipped Platinum Pantheon ($6.50) at the post, with Rustemo ($8.50) trailing in third, more than a length adrift.Leading bookmakers noted Cellarmaster's winning dividend at $5.50, while the favoured runner Within The Law ($2.60) failed to live up to expectations despite being heavily supported.The...
James Healy celebrates first stakes win with Arabian Rose in Glasshouse Handicap
Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy has secured his maiden stakes victory thanks to the unheralded mare Arabian Rose, who triumphed in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap on her home track at Caloundra.Initially listed as the third emergency when final acceptors were declared, Arabian Rose's place in the field was uncertain, with...