The Lindsay Park training team, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, is expressing excitement for the forthcoming spring campaign of their horse, Evaporate.
Although it’s still technically winter, the Caulfield meeting scheduled for Saturday has a touch of spring about it, particularly the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes, a 1400-metre race.
This weight-for-age contest has attracted a strong field, with nine of the thirteen acceptors resuming from a spell.
Evaporate is one of these gallopers and heads into Saturday’s race having completed two solid jump-out sessions.
In the first of these, Evaporate finished second to Zou Sensation at Werribee on July 17. Two weeks later, on August 3 at Flemington, he defeated Caviar Heights over 800 metres.
“The second one was on the course proper, and he went well,” J D Hayes explained.
“He seems to have come back bigger and better which is pretty exciting for the spring as he has a pretty good CV to now, and hopefully he can improve on it.
“He’s been oh so close to a Group 1, so he doesn’t have to improve too far, we hope.”
Evaporate’s notable performances include a second place in last year’s Toorak Handicap, a third in the Golden Eagle (now a Group 1), a third in the CF Orr Stakes, and a narrow second in the All-Star Mile.
Hayes mentioned that a Group 1 win is the only major achievement missing from Evaporate’s record, which comprises six wins and nine minor placings from 23 starts, and has earned him almost $3.2 million in prize money.
With the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, taking place two weeks after Saturday’s race, appearing to be a highly competitive event, Hayes suggested that the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on September 5 might be a more suitable option.
“We’ll get through Saturday first and then work it from there,” Hayes stated.
“The Memsie looks like a pretty hot edition, so he could go to Sandown the week after, but the Toorak Handicap (at Caulfield in October) does look appetising.
“He went oh so close last year and hopefully he can go one better this year if we decide to go that way.”
In-form jockey Blake Shinn, who has recorded doubles in his two meetings back from injury, will ride Evaporate on Saturday, while Jamie Melham is scheduled to ride stablemate Coeur Volante.
Melham is returning from a break, having not ridden in Victoria since ‘Finals Day’ at Flemington in July. She recently competed for the Rest of the World Team in the Shergar Cup at Ascot.
Coeur Volante was twice successful over 1400m at Caulfield in June and July before finishing fourth in her last start behind Sass Appeal over 1400m at Flemington on August 1.
Considering the P B Lawrence Stakes is a key race, explore the latest Australian betting sites for your wagering needs.