Hayes team shooting for Caulfield Cup 2025 blowout

Lindsay Park will take inspiration from one of its most famous triumphs when it lines up two roughies in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup on Saturday. Back in 2017, Boom Time stunned the racing world by winning the Cup for David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, ridden by unheralded hoop Cory Parish.

Now, eight years later, the Hayes brothers—Ben, Will, and JD—will again send out a pair of outsiders in Bankers Choice ($101) and Plymouth ($61). While neither is fancied in betting, Ben Hayes believes both have the ability to outrun their big odds.

“They’ve both come through their preparations in great shape, and we think they’ll be more competitive than the market suggests,” Hayes said.

Plymouth, formerly trained by the late Mike Moroney, will be ridden by apprentice Celine Gaudray, who has earned her opportunity through dedication and results for the stable. The ride comes with added sentiment, as Gaudray previously partnered Buffalo River—the same colours Plymouth will carry on Saturday.

“She has been riding a lot of work for us,” Hayes said. “She’s had a bit of success and ridden a couple of Stakes winners, so we’re giving her an opportunity in a big race like this.”

Plymouth earned his start after a strong second in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m), with Hayes confirming the gelding will switch from blinkers to visors for the Cup on Jamie Kah’s recommendation.

“Jamie just felt that he hit the front and star gazed a bit with the blinkers on, so we’ve done a minor gear change,” Hayes explained. “With the back-up run under his belt, he should be strong at 2400 metres.”

Meanwhile, Bankers Choice has enjoyed a seamless preparation after qualifying through his Mornington Cup (2400m) win in April. Hayes said the gelding’s natural on-speed racing style gives him an edge in a large field.

“He had his Queensland prep, and was already in the race, so we didn’t need to screw him down and try and win his way in,” Hayes said. “He’ll roll forward and make his own luck.”

Both runners will attempt to give Lindsay Park a second fairytale Caulfield Cup win, and Hayes says a top-10 finish for either would be a satisfying result.

Racing fans keen to back Lindsay Park’s runners can visit the best Australian betting sites—the most searched platforms on Google for the latest horse racing odds and spring carnival specials.