Dawn rises to challenge

[Wandering Eyes]

In-form galloper Rise At Dawn is likely to be set for a black-type assignment after notching a comfortable victory at Caulfield on Saturday in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1600m).

The four-year-old son of Almanzor is prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, and has now won six of his 11 starts.

Ridden by Michael Dee, Rise At Dawn sat outside Keats, who led throughout and applied the pressure upon straightening to score by three-quarters of a length from Kettle Hill and Rhapsody Chic.

“Keats got rolling into the bend which probably suited Rise At Dawn, having the race fitness, and that’s how he gets ridden,” Ben Hayes said.

“He just gets to that high-cruising speed and holds it right to the line and he’s really gutsy at the end.

“I think the mile is definitely his trip but now he’s fit, there’s so many nice options. He’s won a Benchmark 100 today and he is the fit horse on the scene.

“He’s been in work a long time so we have just got to manage him run by run.

“But if he pulls up well and we’re really happy with him, he probably deserves a shot at a stakes race.”

Hayes suggested the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) back at Caulfield in a fortnight could be an option.

“It could be suitable for him out there in front with no weight,” Hayes said.

“He’s a super horse who has given his whole ownership group a really big thrill. We’ve got a long time employee in Bruno Rouge-Serret in the horse. He’s really looked after us and he taught me how to saddle horses, so it’s good to get a winner for him.”

Bred by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Rise At Dawn was purchased by Lindsay Park for A$90,000 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. He has now won A$371,335 for connections.

By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, Rise At Dawn is an older brother of last season’s Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) placegetter Kay’s Ruebe with their dam the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner and multiple Group One placegetter Kay’s Awake.

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