Lindsay Park holds strong hand in 2025 The Supernova field

The Lindsay Park training partnership of Ben, Will and JD Hayes dominated last year’s inaugural The Supernova, and they return this weekend looking for back-to-back victories.

Here To Shock led home stablemate Arkansaw Kid in the $1 million 1400m slot race at Pakenham last year, completing a memorable quinella for the stable.

This time Roll On High carries the hopes of Lindsay Park, having finished fifth in last year’s field when trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

Ben Hayes said the stable relishes the chance to defend their Supernova title, though they acknowledge the difficulty of overcoming Joe Pride’s high-class sprinter Private Eye.

“We’re excited,” Hayes said.

“It’s not often you get three horses running in a race of this calibre, especially one worth $1 million, and all three look genuine chances.

“We’ve met Private Eye numerous times and he’s beaten us, but our horses are in form and previously he had the fitness edge.”

Here To Shock backed up last year’s win with a Group 1 victory in New Zealand, but on returning home had been unable to win until scoring at Caulfield over 1400m on November 29.

“His win the other day was right up there with his best,” Hayes said.

“Mark (Zahra) gave him a perfect ride and he hit the line strongly. It was the ideal final run before returning to The Supernova.”

Arkansaw Kid enters off a determined second placing behind Jigsaw in The Meteorite (1200m). He was freshened after a tenth in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

“He bumped into a horse in terrific form last start,” Hayes said.

“He probably peaked late due to the freshen-up, but he ran really well and the step back to 1400m is ideal. He wasn’t far away in this race last year.”

Roll On High has shown improving form since joining Lindsay Park, running second during Cup week and then finishing fourth at Caulfield over 1600m before winning a Bendigo trial on December 1.

“She has been excellent this prep,” Hayes said.

“The mile tests her a bit, so coming back to 1400m, rock-hard fit, and knowing she was a touch unlucky last year — we think she’s a proper top-four chance.”

Bettors looking to play The Supernova can see bookmaker comparisons at Australia’s leading betting sites.