Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins

The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.

The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds at Flemington on October 31.

After a convincing win in an 800-metre Werribee jumpout last Friday, preceded by a quiet second in a Flemington jumpout a fortnight earlier, the son of All Too Hard has the Lindsay Park camp, including co-trainer Will Hayes, buzzing with anticipation for his return to the track.

A standout winner of the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) on February 14, which was his sole previous start, Hard Kick is set to add significant class to Flemington's season-ending fixture.

"We're going to look at a 1000-metre option for two-year-olds down the straight on the 18th of July," Hayes, who trains alongside his brothers Ben and JD, stated.

"We're very happy and glad that we erred on the side of caution by not exposing him to the back-up into the (Blue) Diamond, because it's been the best thing for him going forward.

"I can't fault him in the way he's built up, he looks a better version of himself and I think his trial spoke for itself.

"His trial suggests that he's right where we need him to be."

Hard Kick is currently listed at $8 on the third line of betting for the Coolmore Stud Stakes, behind only the Golden Slipper victor Guest House ($5) and Ciaron Maher's promising colt The Next Episode ($6).

"It will be the traditional three-year-old path on the way towards a race like the Coolmore," Hayes commented.

"We do think he's a horse that possesses incredible natural speed and we're going to play to his strengths."

Check out the latest racing odds for the Coolmore Stud Stakes at online bookmakers.