Hayes Stayer The Western Front Set For Flemington Assignment
Lindsay Park's promising stayer, The Western Front, is slated to continue his extensive preparation in Saturday's $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final at Flemington.
This 2600-metre contest represents the tenth appearance for the five-year-old this campaign, which commenced with a fourth placing over 1600m at the same track on January 10.
The gelding has since recorded four wins, including a triumph in the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m). Co-trainer Ben Hayes admitted he was surprised the campaign had extended this far but expressed satisfaction with the horse's current condition and potential for further achievements.
"When you get them fit you keep them happy and in a rhythm and these days, with technology, trainers are able to keep horses up for longer," he said.
"It's good for them, they enjoy being in work. Some don't, so you put them in the paddock.
"He's a horse we'd like to get his rating up a bit more to target maybe the back-end of spring with him.
"He could bob up over Cup Week running in one of those staying races."
Hayes clarified that the major target this year is the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) on Champions Day, rather than the prestigious $10m Melbourne Cup (3200m).
The Western Front is coming off a second-place finish to Vegas Jack at Flemington on June 20, a run where he endured a challenging trip from a wide draw. Hayes is optimistic that with better fortune in running, the gelding can turn the tables.
"He probably had the hardest run in the race," Hayes, who trains alongside his brother Will and JD, stated regarding the 1-1/4-length defeat.
"He had no luck at all. He was wide the whole trip, had to work in the middle stages, hit the front early and just got run over late.
"But he's come through the run well."
Daniel Stackhouse will pilot The Western Front, who receives a 1.5kg weight advantage over Vegas Jack from their previous encounter. The gelding will jump from barrier six, while Vegas Jack is drawn in barrier nine.
Currently, The Western Front is the $4.20 favourite, with Vegas Jack priced at $7. Wuddzz sits between them at $5.
Explore the best betting markets for the race and place your bets on the Banjo Paterson Series Final.
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