Cruiserweight claims third consecutive win at Caulfield

The potential of Cruiserweight has become increasingly evident following his commanding victory at Caulfield.

This gelding's success in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap over 1400m on Saturday represented his third win on the trot, and his second since joining the Lindsay Park training partnership of Ben, Will, and J D Hayes.

Whispers of comparisons between Cruiserweight and the esteemed Lindsay Park galloper Mr Brightside are circulating, with the Hayes brothers anticipating Cruiserweight will ascend to a higher echelon of racing.

Sent out as the $3 favourite with Craig Williams riding, Cruiserweight secured a length victory over Celtics ($8), with Beechworth ($13) finishing a further 3-¾ lengths adrift in third.

J D Hayes was hesitant to definitively label Cruiserweight as the next Mr Brightside, noting Mr Brightside's record of stringing together six wins before facing defeat in his initial starts, ultimately progressing to Group 1 company in his first term with Lindsay Park.

"It was visually very impressive," Hayes said of Cruiserweight.

"It's great to get a win for Punt Road Syndicate, John O'Neill and Jason Steet, and we sourced this horse together from New Zealand and he has gone from strength to strength.

"It looks like we will have a bit of fun with him going forward.

"He's very raw. He's not the finished product. He got up on his toe beforehand, he got hot and sweaty, but there's plenty of upside.

"I know it's a three-year-old race in July, but the way that he did it, hopefully he can end up where we think he can end up."

When asked about Cruiserweight's potential future racing destinations, Hayes indicated the gelding would be campaigned through the spring with the objective of elevating his handicap rating and accumulating prize money.

"What I think and what can happen are two different things," Hayes cautioned.

"He will be the fit horse on the scene in the spring, and how far he goes, that's another matter, but he is a bloody good horse."

Williams, who had just completed a race-to-race double after winning the Sportsbet Fast Form Handicap (1100m) aboard Markdel for his father Alan and brother Jason, shared his positive impressions of Cruiserweight's conduct during the race.

"They did say that he may be the new Mr Brightside and the way that he went he has scope for distance," Williams stated.

"He's such a big, raw horse, and he's got really good ability.

"They (the Hayes brothers) will get the best out of him and it will be exciting to see the path they take with him."

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