Horse Racing
3 weeks ago
Have we found the horse to cart the Cox Plate field up to Pride Of Jenni on Saturday?
By Hugh Fitzpatrick
Have we found the horse to cart the Cox Plate field up to Pride Of Jenni on Saturday?
Speaking at Breakfast with the Best on Tuesday morning, star trainer Ben Hayes previewed the chances of his three-year-old runner Evaporate in the weight-for-age classic.
Asked whether Evaporate can be the “horse that helps cart the field up” without it being detrimental to his chances, Hayes provided an answer that has left punters slightly more confident around the potential speed map.
With Pride Of Jenni expected to be a tearaway leader from gate seven, many form analysts and speed map experts see Evaporate crossing the field from barrier six for jockey Karis Teetan and sitting second in running.
A three-time winner at The Valley, Evaporate has won his three starts at the venue by a combined margin of seven lengths and that has left Hayes confident knowing he’ll have to carry the bottom weight alongside Broadsiding who he beat home in the Caulfield Guineas last start.
“Look he has gone forward and led two starts back and he has got a good record at The Valley,” Hayes told SENTrack.
“We did think long and hard about it and we just like his record at The Valley and he’s done well (there).
“You’ve got James Cummings’ horse (Broadsiding) who is one of the favourites and we beat it last start so with 49.5kgs you’ve got to have a go and go for it.
“He’s drawn a nice barrier where he should get a nice run just behind the speed and he’ll be thereabouts with that light weight and hopefully it works out.
“First time at the 2000m and what most likely will be a strong run race but we’re happy with him, he’s rock hard fit and will be ready to go on race day.”
Evaporate is considered a $21 chance with Sportsbet on the weekend.
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