Blake Shinn’s suspension has opened the door for Mark Zahra to take the reins on Oak Hill in Saturday’s Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley, with Lindsay Park confident their in-form sprinter can take another step forward.
The Carlyon may not boast the history of a Melbourne Cup or Caulfield Cup, but it represents an ideal stakes opportunity for Oak Hill, who has been unbeaten in two runs since joining Ben, Will and JD Hayes earlier this year.
Zahra, yet to win the race since its elevation to black type in 2011, will aim to add it to his résumé, while Lindsay Park chase their second Carlyon after winning in 2018 with Faatinah. Oak Hill was a convincing winner in benchmark 100 grade over this track and trip on August 9, extending his strong Moonee Valley record to four wins from five starts.
Transferred from Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson earlier in the year, Oak Hill also captured a Caulfield win in May and now seeks a maiden stakes success. His previous attempts at this level included the Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) at Flemington and a runner-up finish to Midwest in the Country Discovery (1000m).
Ben Hayes said the gelding is thriving and could earn a Group 1 test next month. “If Oak Hill can continue on his upward spiral and complete back-to-back Moonee Valley wins, then the Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 6 is likely to be on the agenda.”
“He’s freshened up really well after his first-up win. He’s nearly unbeatable at The Valley and he didn’t have long off after his last prep, so he’s already got a great base. He’s a beautiful, big, strong horse that’s nice and sharp, so I think he deserves his shot,” Hayes added.
Punters keen to back Oak Hill in the Carlyon Stakes can find betting markets at leading Australian betting sites.