The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes will rely on Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) as their major chance in a Stakes race at Sandown.
Rise At Dawn (NZ) (Almanzor) was also an acceptor for the Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) on Saturday but instead will head to Sydney to contest the Gr.2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
Ben Hayes said a rich race in Sydney during the spring was in the back of their minds with Rise At Dawn who resumed at Flemington on September 13 finishing third to stablemate Cafe Millenium (Not A Single Doubt).
“He’s in great order and with him we’re thinking the Five Diamonds over 1800 metres might be a good race for him,” Ben Hayes said.
“He ran so well so well in the Doncaster going that way as well.
“It was a tough run first-up and he’s really come on well and there is the option of coming back down here and running in the Toorak.”
Rise At Dawn had been posted as third favourite in the Sandown Stakes behind stablemate Evaporate and Transatlantic (Snitzel) before his scratching and being Sydney bound.
Hayes said Evaporate had overcome a slight virus which ruled the galloper out of the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last Saturday.
“He got a little virus which put him back a week, so we had to back off,” Hayes said.
“We didn’t want to take any risks being the horse he is, but he trialled last Friday and trialled well.
“We’ve done a gear change, which I think a lot of the punters will like, taking the earmuffs off, and he’s right back on track and I feel it’s a good race for him to run well on a nice big track.”
Evaporate has not raced since finishing a first-up fifth to Private Eye (Al Maher) in the Gr.2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16.
On the corresponding weekend of racing last year, Evaporate won the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley before going on to finish third in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Hayes said Saturday’s set-up where Evaporate has drawn off the track will suit.
“He’s drawn a barrier where he will get a bit of galloping room, which he needs,” Hayes said.
“I think you’ll see the real Evaporate on Saturday.”
The Lindsay Park operation will also have The Pendragon (NZ) (US Navy Flag) in Saturday’s race who had his first start for the stable when last to Angel Capital (Harry Angel) in the Listed Chatauqua Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 6.
Hayes said the rise in distance would suit The Pendragon and the stable was expecting an improved performance.
