Stakes proves tough at Caulfield Heath

Despite a wayward performance, Stakes, piloted by jockey Jye McNeil, emerged victorious in The Valley @ Caulfield Handicap (1200m) held at Caulfield Heath.

This marked Stakes' second win from three starts, following his debut success at Bendigo a month prior.

The colt, wearing blinkers for the first time, secured the win by a short head over the favoured Commit ($3.70), with Put To The Sword ($14) a further neck behind in third.

Previously, Stakes finished third over 1100m at Caulfield on July 25, between his initial win and Saturday's outing.

"I think they made all the difference," McNeil commented on the blinkers' impact.

"The other day he didn't participate in the race in the early stages and that put him out of contention.

"Today, he jumped a lot better with the blinkers on, plus we were up 100 metres in distance. We had cover for the first part and then we were stuck in a position three-wide outside the speed.

"He's still so backward. He lays on the other horses, he was wayward in the straight and I had to go back to hands and heels in the straight to get the best out of him.

"The finished product is probably still a prep away, but he's got the ability there."

The Lindsay Park training partnership of Ben, Will, and J D Hayes are responsible for Stakes.

J D Hayes described the win as a hard-earned one.

"He's a horse that has always improved," Hayes noted.

"He had the ultimate gear change as a younger horse and was always one that was going to develop into a lovely three-year-old type.

"Having that fitness under his belt, that told late and it came to the fore there late."

Hayes indicated that the team would evaluate Stakes' recovery before planning his next engagement.

"That had a bit more credit to it as he was exposed from a long way out and he's still not doing things 100 per cent," Hayes added.

"He's a horse with a fair bit of improvement and I'm looking forward to seeing how he pulls up."

Explore the latest racing odds at leading online bookmakers.