With Blake Shinn on sidelines through suspension, Lindsay Park has gone to noted big race jockey Mark Zahra to ride Oak Hill (NZ) (Per Incanto) in a Stakes race at Moonee Valley.
While the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) on Saturday may not have the prestige of a Melbourne Cup or a Caulfield Cup, it is still a nice little race to put on the CV.
Zahra has not taken the race since it earned Black Type status for the 2011 edition, while Lindsay Park’s sole win came in 2018 with Faatinah.
Only Ben Hayes was a part of the Lindsay Park training partnership then, preparing the sprinter with his father David Hayes and cousin Tom Dabernig.
Since joining current trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes, Oak Hill is unbeaten in his two start and was a convincing winner in a benchmark 100 contest over Saturday’s course and distance on August 9 to commence his campaign.
Oak Hill was previously prepared by Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson before switching to Lindsay Park when successful at Caulfield in May.
The sprinter will be chasing his fifth win at The Valley from six starts and is aiming to secure a first success at Stakes level.
The gelding’s only previous Stakes level run was up the straight at Flemington in the Listed Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) in March, after which he went to Echuca to run second to Midwest in the Country Discovery (1000m) in April.
Ben Hayes said if Oak Hill can continue on his upward spiral and complete back-to-back Moonee Valley win, then the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 6 is likely to be on the agenda.
The early season Moonee Valley treble was completed by Mornington Glory, an opponent on Saturday, last year.
Hayes said Oak Hill had bounced out of his first-up win well and did a nice piece of work on Tuesday to have him ready for Saturday’s contest.
“We took him back to the farm and he did a bit of striding work towards the end of last week, and he’s freshened up well,” Hayes said.
“He’s got a great record at The Valley, he’s nearly undefeated there and he didn’t have long off (after his last prep) so he’s got a base on him.
“I think it’s a nice race to target and if we’re really happy with him then we’ll head towards the Moir.
“He’s a beautiful, big, strong horse that’s nice and sharp, so I think he deserves his shot.”