Ndola out to win family race in CS Hayes Stakes

Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Ben & JD Hayes are still in pursuit of a victory in a race that holds deep significance for their family legacy.

Saturday’s Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington is named in honor of their grandfather, Colin Hayes, a Hall of Fame trainer who founded the original Lindsay Park in South Australia and dominated trainers’ premierships in both Melbourne and Adelaide.

Since its renaming in 2008, the Lindsay Park stable, under the guidance of David Hayes, and later in partnership with Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes, has yet to secure a win in the event.

Interestingly, Tony McEvoy—once a key figure at Lindsay Park—claimed victory in the CS Hayes Stakes with Hey Doc in 2017. By then, McEvoy had ventured out independently, training at the historic Lindsay Park facility in Angaston, South Australia, before transitioning to Ballarat.

Lindsay Park has had prior success in the race under its former title, The Debonair, with past winners including Zabeel, McBrave, and Rullene in the 1990s.

“It would be a special moment for the stable to finally win this race,” Ben Hayes said. “My dad chased this win for many years. Since it’s named after our grandfather, a legendary trainer, securing this title would be incredibly meaningful to the Hayes family.”

This year, Lindsay Park’s hopes rest on Ndola, a runner owned in partnership with the Devitt and Gordon families, both longtime associates of the Hayes team. However, the gelding faces a challenging start, having drawn the widest barrier—gate 16—in the full 1400m field.

The Hayes brothers have high regard for Ndola, having earmarked him as a potential Caulfield Guineas prospect last season.

Returning from a spell, Ndola finished last in his Sandown comeback run, trailing CS Hayes Stakes favorite Royal Insignia by three-and-a-half lengths. Despite this, Hayes remains optimistic about his chances this weekend.

“He went into his first run quite underdone with just one trial,” Hayes explained. “His preparation wasn’t ideal heading into that first-up race, but he has taken great strides forward since then.”