Lindsay Park stars gearing up for return

[Wandering Eyes]

The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes are excited by the progress their New Zealand bred stables stars are making in preparation for their spring campaigns.

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) is back galloping and is due for a jump-out early next month as he gears towards a first-up run in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30.

The gelding was just pipped in that race last year by Pinstriped before returning to winning form in Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington two weeks later.

Ben Hayes said Mr Brightside looks better in condition this time around that what he did 12 months ago after campaigning later into the season.

Mr Brightside travelled to Hong Kong, finishing last in the Gr.1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin in April and had his spell at the Spotswood quarantine facility upon his return.

“He had his first gallop last Monday and did it well,” Hayes said.

“Compared to other years, he’s got a really good coat for this time of year and looks really healthy and is possibly a bit more forward at the same time as he’s been previously.

“His regular rider Ross commented on it and us three boys all agree.

“His action is good, and he seems a happy horse.”

Hayes said Mr Brightside would have another gallop during the week and is being geared towards having a jump-out on the course proper at Flemington on August 4.

Mr Brightside would then have another jump-out at Flemington prior to his first-up out in the Memsie Stakes.

“He’s a horse that generally doesn’t have a big spell,” Hayes said.

“We were able to give him one last year and he probably peaked first-up and got beaten, but then he came out and won.

“I think he’s very forward. He’s only turning eight and we’re delighted to have him around.”

The stable will give Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) the task of maintaining Lindsay Park’s domination of the Gr.2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 16 as attempts to give the stable its fourth consecutive win in the event.

“He’s one of the more exciting horses in our stable. He’s very untapped; he had a lot of bad luck last preparation,” Hayes said.

“I’m really happy with him. He’s grown really well and he should have a big spring.”

Hayes said Evaporate’s main aim at this stage was $10 million The Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 1, although he didn’t rule out another tilt at a Gr.1 Cox Plate if his form warranted it.

Last spring Evaporate won the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley and was third in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas before finishing last in the Cox Plate.

Evaporate returned in the autumn where he finished fourth in the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes before running an unlucky second in The Kiwi at Ellerslie.

He then had one more start, which was an easy win in the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes at Randwick.

Evaporate pleased Hayes with his win in an 800m jumpout at Flemington on Friday.

“Evaporate trialled very well on Friday. He looks to have come back very well and he will have another trial on August 4.”

Meanwhile War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel), who provided Lindsay Park with their first win in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm when successful last month, is back at the stable’s country property at Euroa preparing for his return.

Hayes said War Machine was being aimed at a first-up run in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on AFL Grand Final eve in late September.

He said the stable also hopes to get an invite for The Everest.

“He’s arrived safe and sound and is back in work,” Hayes said.

“We’re probably looking at running in the Manikato first-up. Going into that fresh and then hopefully The Everest, if he gets invited.

“The Manikato is two weeks before The Everest, so it will fit well, then there is the $3 million race two weeks after that in Sydney and then we can come back down here for the C F Orr Stakes.”

The Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) has been transferred from its traditional autumn date to be run in mid-November this year.

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