Makram returns for winter cameo
Lindsay Park trainers Ben and J D Hayes have taken a different approach to start the brief winter campaign of Makram at Flemington.
Having undergone fetlock surgery post his spring campaign, the Hayes brothers have elected to start Makram off over 1600m in the VJA Winter Championship Trophy on Saturday.
An Irish-bred import that raced in UK before arriving in Australia, Makram's two previous first-up runs had been at 1400m which he had found too short.
However, with those 1400m contests under the belt, Makram came out at his next start to win each time over 1700m at Flemington.
The most recent of those was defeating Hezashocka last September.
"He's a horse that generally needs a run before he gets to peak fitness," Ben Hayes said.
"But his mannerisms have been very good this prep, more relaxed, so hopefully that translates to a good campaign for him.
"We've also decided to kick him off over a mile this campaign. That's more his trip.
"Over the 1400 metres when starting off his previous two campaigns, he was outsprinted, but then he came out and won second-up at 1700m at Flemington both times.
"He does have a big weight, but he could run very well fresh, and hopefully we should see him finishing off strongly.
"The idea is to just give him one or two runs and then back-off off for the spring.
"We just wanted to get him in and moving after the surgery."
Makram showed staying promise last campaign, finishing second in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield before coming from back in the field when third to Melbourne Cup runner-up Emissary in the Listed Geelong Cup (2400m).
The gelding underwent his surgery after that run but showed he was ready for a return to the track with an 1100m trial win at Tatura on May 9.
Stablemate So Si Bon, also an acceptor in Saturday's race, will head to Adelaide instead to contest the Group 3 R A Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville.
"He's never been across to Adelaide before. He's been to Sydney and Brisbane, so we thought we'd try something different with him," Hayes said.
More Racing News
Corstens considering another Perth assault with The Astrologist
The Astrologist delivered Corstens one of the highlights of his training career in the 2022 TABtouch-Gold Rush, where he held off a late surge from Kissonallforcheeks. Corstens then travelled the gelding to Dubai and the United Kingdom, where he ran credible races in the Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) and Queen Elizabeth...
3-time Group 1 winner Riff Rocket dies
Chris Waller on Tuesday paid tribute to his dual Derby winner Riff Rocket, who has died. The four-year-old son of American Pharoah succumbed to complications from emergency colic surgery that was conducted early last week. A shattered Waller fondly remembered the gelding, who was bred and raced by Debbie Kepitis and family,...
Eliyass to step out in Kingston Town Stakes
The Metropolitan favourite Eliyass isn’t completely locked in to lining up in the Group 1 race with his Tulloch Lodge trainers keen to keep all options on the table for now. The import will take the next step in his campaign when he tackles the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m)...
The Map set to contest MRC Foundation Cup
The Map already owns a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption and the pride of South Australia could be guaranteed a place in the Spring Carnival’s other big handicap after this Saturday’s meeting at Caulfield. The daughter of Alpine Eagle will have her second start for the campaign in the $200,000 MRC Foundation...
Without A Fight heads Melbourne Cup weights
Racing Victoria handicapper David Hegan said he would like to have waited an extra week before releasing the weights for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Hegan said ideally the final handicaps for the Cups would be released after Saturday’s racing in Melbourne and Sydney to ascertain how potential contenders are progressing...
Underwood Stakes to determine Pericles' spring path
A start in a Group 1 race at Caulfield could determine whether Godolphin galloper Pericles stays in Melbourne or heads back to Sydney for the remainder of the spring. A last start winner of the So You Think Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 7, Pericles will be one of the...
Point King secures 2024 Melbourne Cup start
Owner Lloyd Williams has moved a step closer to winning an eighth Melbourne Cup after Irish-bred galloper Point King earned a start in the great race with a fighting win at Flemington. Point King took out the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on Saturday to earn a ballot exemption into the Group...
Grinzinger Belle dominant in the Let’s Elope Stakes
Trainer Danny O’Brien is eyeing a Group 1 race during the Melbourne Cup Carnival with impressive Flemington winner Grinzinger Belle. Having her first start since competing in early winter at Caulfield, Grinzinger Belle registered an easy win in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. The Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes...
Godolphin colt stops Traffic in Group 1 Golden Rose audition
Traffic Warden has upstaged some of Sydney’s highest-profile colts to land an outstanding first-up win in The Run To The Rose, giving Godolphin its fourth successive victory in the Golden Rose lead-up. Trainer James Cummings confirmed the three-year-old would join stablemate Broadsiding in the Group 1 before a decision was made on whether to...
Mr Brightside shines on dull Makybe Diva Stakes day at Flemington
Mr Brightside has exacted revenged on arch enemy Pride Of Jenni to take Group 1 honours in a thrilling race at Flemington. Having staged a thrilling contest last spring before renewing hostilities in the autumn, Mr Brightside got the upper hand over Pride Of Jenni in the closing stages to claim a second...