The Lindsay Park stable, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will receive valuable information regarding Cafe Millenium’s chances from an earlier race on Saturday’s Caulfield program.
Cafe Millenium is set to commence its campaign in the Evergreen Turf Handicap over 1400 metres, two races after Mr Brightside makes his comeback from an injury-induced break in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, run over the same course and distance.
Having previously been trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton in Sydney, Cafe Millenium has spent its last two preparations under the Hayes brothers’ tutelage.
Cafe Millenium has progressed from winning a benchmark 84 race at its second start for Lindsay Park to achieving success on three occasions at Listed level.
It is for this developmental trajectory that Cafe Millenium has been the consistent sparring partner for Mr Brightside in his preparation for a return to racing following surgery for a bone chip in a fetlock earlier this year.
While Mr Brightside benefited from a trial at Caulfield Heath a fortnight ago, Cafe Millenium galloped with its more prominent stablemate between races at Sandown last week, finishing slightly ahead of the Lindsay Park star.
“He’s been the work partner of Mr Brightside the whole way through the preparation,” commented Ben Hayes.
“And I think Cafe Millennium is going particularly well and he’s not just a morning glory.
“He’s always worked well at home, and he always gives you confidence going into races, whereas Brightside is the opposite, always being a bit lazy in his gallops.”
Apprentice Jackson Radley has been closely involved with Cafe Millenium in its preparation for its racing return, which included winning a 1000-metre jump-out at Flemington on August 14.
“Jacko has been very happy with his work, and we think he will run well fresh,” Hayes added.
Although Radley’s 2kg claim brings Cafe Millenium down to carry 60kg on Saturday, they will have to overcome the second widest gate from the 15-horse field.
Last year’s running of Saturday’s benchmark 100 handicap was won by Sepals first-up, who three weeks later went on to claim the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over the same course and distance.
Consider the latest racing betting markets for the Caulfield meeting.