Ben Hayes is banking on the race experience Baaqyah (NZ) (I Am Invincible) gained in her debut placing during Melbourne Cup week to prove pivotal to the filly’s chances at The Valley.
A debut second to stablemate Hard Landing in the Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington on November 7, Baaqyah runs in the Strath Haven Preston Sprint Plate (1000m) on Saturday.
Stablemate Stenmark is also an acceptor for the race, but Hayes, who trains in partnership with his father David and cousin Tom Dabernig, said the two-year-old was slated for a return trip to Adelaide on Saturday to run in the Action Line Marking Plate.
While Hard Landing was the better fancied of the Lindsay Park pair at Flemington, Hayes was surprised at Baaqyah’s debut starting price of $21 and she ran her stablemate to a half head.
“She had shown us nice ability at home and we ran her in that race because she had been working so well,” Hayes said.
“And she ran up to her track work which was good.
“The horse that beat her, we’ve got a big opinion of, so to get as close as she did was a really good effort.”
Hayes said Baaqyah returned to Lindsay Park’s Euroa establishment following her debut adding the filly had thrived back in the country environment.
“We’ve had her back at the farm and she’s done really well,” Hayes said.
“She’s been working with older horses and has got them covered, so she’s certainly got the ability.”
Stenmark finished second on debut at Morphettville on November 9 behind Flinders River who is set to run at The Valley for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Hayes said the trip to Adelaide for his first start had done wonders for Stenmark.
“One thing about him I’ve noticed is his temperament has really improved,” Hayes said.
“He was always a bit of a fizzy horse, but the trip away has made him really grow up and I think that has got to be to his advantage.
“He’s done well and coped with the training.”
