Damian Lane caps off perfect day with Sixties victory
In Saturday's $200,000 C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington, Sydney colt Sixties demonstrated his potential for the Australian Guineas, providing star jockey Damian Lane with a fourth triumph of the afternoon.
Trained by Chris Waller, the colt outclassed his opposition over the 1400-metre Group 3 distance, battling through a three-wide trip without protection all the way to claim successive triumphs after his return-to-racing win in lesser grade at Rosehill on January 31.
That victory followed 40 minutes on from Lane's superb success riding Tentyris in the highlight, the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning, plus earlier Listed wins aboard Hard Kick and Sass Appeal.
"It's a good time to be coming right," Lane said.
"There's a lot of hard work behind the scenes. I have to thank my family, (wife) Bonnie and (son) Charlie, they're a big support at home.
My manager Dean Hawkes, he does a good job of organising rides and the rest of it comes down to grafting really, working hard to find the opportunities to be in the right spot at the right time."
Even with the wide path, Sixties ($1.60 fav) prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths from Asakura ($5.50), with $31 shot Beyond Question another 1-1/2 lengths adrift in third position.
Sixties, out of Flying Artie and sibling to Artorius, holds second favouritism at $3.50 behind Observer ($2.50) for the 1600m Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on February 28, and Lane believes the colt should rise to the occasion since many from today's C S Hayes Stakes lineup are bound there as well.
"He had lengths on them (today), full credit to him. He's a lovely animal," Lane said.
With Sixties now prominent in Australian Guineas wagering, fans can explore the top Australian betting sites to place their bets on this key event.
Not just Lane celebrated doubles that day, with promising jockey Luke Cartwright securing an early pair of wins on Tarvue and Perilous Fighter.
The post Sixties completes Damian Lane's quartet first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
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