Ndola set to tackle The Meteorite at Cranbourne

The specific track conditions and journey are anticipated to favour Ndola as he lines up for The Meteorite.

A quartet of trainers from Lindsay Park is backing a galloper in fine form to secure a lucrative million-dollar race at Cranbourne this coming Saturday.

Next weekend, Melbourne's metropolitan racing will be held away from the city, with Cranbourne becoming the host for the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) and the initial slot race organised by Southside Racing.

The Meteorite, run over 1200 metres, is the first of these events, with The Supernova (1400m) scheduled to follow at Pakenham on December 13.

Having recently triumphed in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31 and previously winning the Apache Cat Classic (1200m) at Cranbourne three weeks prior, Ndola is performing at a level that has Ben Hayes feeling optimistic about his prospects.

"We're really happy with him and we have got him on our slot," Hayes revealed.

"He's arguably in career best form and the track and trip is no issue especially two starts back."

Ndola has demonstrated remarkable consistency, achieving a Racing and Sports rating of 114 in each of his past three performances.

The stable views Ndola as more of a sprinter, and the 1200m distance for The Meteorite is considered ideal, more so than the 1400m at Pakenham later in the season.

"1400 sorts him out, unfortunately," Hayes elaborated.

"We thought early days that he would get out in trip but he is doing a good job over 1200-metres considering he has got bad wind. He's a good sprinter."

The Hayes stable will also present Arkansaw Kid for another attempt at The Meteorite, following his second-place finish in the 2025 running to Jigsaw, who went on to win the race twelve months ago.

"He's won over $2 million and is a multiple group two winner and group one placed and he ran inro a horse who went on to string a number of wins in-a-row.

"Jigsaw won't be there and I thought his last run was good."

As the main spring carnival fixtures conclude, allowing other tracks to take prominence, Ben expressed contentment with the outcome of their spring campaign.

"We were a bit slow at the start and didn't start as well as we wanted but we were happy with it," he remarked.

"Four (wins) is nearly the best we've done as a partnership and a couple of good winners in Sydney through Cup week, so we are happy but would like to improve."

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