Ben, Will and J D Hayes are confident that stretching Alenquer out to a longer trip will help the Group 1-winning import break through for his first Australian success.
Originally trained in Ireland, Alenquer joined Mike Moroney late in 2022 with hopes of contesting the 2023 Melbourne Cup, only for a tendon injury to sideline him for nearly two years.
After Moroney’s death earlier this year, the French-bred gelding moved into the Lindsay Park system and will line up for his fifth start for the stable on Saturday.
His second placing over 2040m at Moonee Valley was encouraging, followed by a seventh behind Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes (2000m) on the final day of Cup week.
“He’s getting out to a trip for the first time in a long time,” Ben Hayes said.
“We ran him in a very hard race last start behind probably the best horse in Australia at the moment, Via Sistina, and I thought he held himself well.
“He did everything correct that day and the 2400 (metres) will be, I think, what he’s looking for now.
“He’s coming back from a tendon injury. He’s been slowly building and his fitness is improving, and I think it’s a race he can be competitive in.”
Alenquer has required time to regain full fitness, though two runs over 2000m and consistent trial work have him ready to peak on Saturday.
Hayes said soft conditions would be ideal.
“He’s fifth up, he’s got good fitness on his base,” Hayes said.
“He’s had a long, slow build-up and I think it’s a race that we hope to see the best of him.
“He showed glimpses with his second at The Valley and obviously it was a heavy track and much harder competition in the Champion Stakes.
“It had been a long time since he had seen a heavy track like that, but looking at the weather, it could be good something he’s running on again.”
A promising performance would see Alenquer head to the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) next start.
“That’s the thinking if he pulls up well,” Hayes said.
“He’s a happy horse. That’s a good thing about him that he actually enjoys being in work and you know he is enjoying it.
“And with his problems, he’ll be one of those horses that we probably keep in work for a year.”
Lindsay Park has yet to win the Zipping Classic under its current conditions, while Alenquer’s former trainer Mike Moroney claimed consecutive editions with Sound in 2020 and 2021.
If you’re backing Alenquer or following the Zipping Classic, explore the best odds at the top Australian betting sites.
