At Flemington on Saturday, Sydney colt Sixties utilised the $200,000 C S Hayes Stakes to affirm his Australian Guineas aspirations, crowning jockey Damian Lane’s achievements with a fourth victory.
Chris Waller’s charge eclipsed the field in the Group 3 over 1400 metres, triumphing after enduring a stern test racing three-wide sans shelter throughout, building on his recent return win in non-black-type at Rosehill January 31.
The result materialised 40 minutes post Lane’s dazzling ride to win on Tentyris in the card’s centrepiece, Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning, having earlier succeeded in Listed company via Hard Kick and Sass Appeal.
“It’s a good time to be coming right,” Lane said.
“There’s a lot of hard work behind the scenes. I have to thank my family, (wife) Bonnie and (son) Charlie, they’re a big support at home.
My manager Dean Hawkes, he does a good job of organising rides and the rest of it comes down to grafting really, working hard to find the opportunities to be in the right spot at the right time.”
Notwithstanding his outward path, favourite Sixties at $1.60 scored by 1-1/4 lengths ahead of Asakura ($5.50), from Beyond Question ($31) a further 1-1/2 back.
Flying Artie gelding Sixties, related to Artorius, is $3.50 next in line after Observer ($2.50) for the 1600m Group 1 Australian Guineas on February 28 at Flemington, and Lane anticipates no issues with many of the C S Hayes Stakes contestants also nominated.
“He had lengths on them (today), full credit to him. He’s a lovely animal,” Lane said.
Check the betting markets for the race as Sixties firms for the Australian Guineas following this strong showing.
Multiple winners weren’t exclusive to Lane, with apprentice Luke Cartwright grabbing a quick double riding Tarvue and Perilous Fighter.
The post Sixties completes Damian Lane’s quartet first appeared on Just Horse Racing.