Forecast rain late in the week has convinced Lindsay Park’s head trainer David Hayes to pursue a start with He’s Our Rokkii in Saturday’s Group 1 $3.15m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield.
He’s Our Rokkii, above, will be one of three Lindsay Park runners in the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.
Hayes admits that He’s Our Rokkii is struggling to find his best form but the prospect of a rain affected track had tempted him to test the five year old over the 2400m for the first time.
The Roc De Cambes gelding has been unplaced from four Spring Carnival runs and was never a threat last Saturday when eighth to Classic Uniform in the Group 3 $500,000 Aqualand Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick.
“He’s struggling a little bit but we saw the weather forecast and the prospects of rain,” Hayes told AAP.
“He’s qualified, in the field, so we thought we’d give him a try.”
The Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig look likely to have three runners in the Caulfield Cup and He’s Our Rokkii will be joined by Harlem and Ventura Storm.
Harlem gained his ticket into the Caulfield Cup with his win in the Group 3 $150,000 Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (Naturalism Stakes) (2000m) at Caulfield on September 23 before running fifth to Amelie’s Star in the Group 3 $300,000 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 7.
“He just needed the run at the 2500 metres last time,” Hayes said.
“And we’re probably going to put blinkers on him for the race.”
European import Ventura Storm ran his best race last start since joining the Lindsay Park Team when six and a half lengths second to Winx in the Group 1 $500,000 Seppelt Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 7 and Hayes said that the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup is his distance.
“He had a good hard run behind Winx and needed it,” Hayes said.
“He’s come through it well and he’ll love getting out to the 2400 metres.”
Harlem is the best fancied of the Lindsay Park trio and is marked at $9 for the Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Ventura Storm at $13 while He’s Our Rokkii is one of the outsiders at $151.
Kiwi mare Bonneval and the Darren Weir trained Humidor share favouritism at $6.50 ahead of Japanese import Admire Deus and Aidan’s O’Brien Irish stayer Johannes Vermeer at $7.
Early market order for 2017 Caulfield Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $6.50 Bonneval, Humidor, $7 Admire Deus, Johannes Vermeer, $7.50 Amelie’s Star, $9 Harlem, $13 Inference, Ventura Storm, $15 Jon Snow, $21 Abbey Marie, Lord Fandango, Marmelo, $26 Almandin, Single Gaze, $34 Lizzie L’Amour, $41 Big Duke, Wicklow Brave, $51 or better the rest.
