Although Will Hayes would prefer Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) met Broadsiding at The Valley, he’s certain he can prove he’s not a one-trick pony when he meets the Sydney star in the Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.
Evaporate has emerged with Angel Capital as the two in-form Victorian spring three-year-olds and the pair face a big challenge taking on Broadsiding, who has won his past five starts in Brisbane and Sydney for James Cummings.
Sportsbet’s markets suggest they think it’s a one-horse race as they have Broadsiding at $1.75, Angel Capital at $8 and Evaporate at $11.
The Ben, JD and Will Hayes-trained Evaporate has won his past three starts at The Valley, with his last one in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes
“He’s on the big stage now. There’s nowhere to hide and we’re looking forward to it,” Will Hayes said.
He said while he would prefer meeting Broadsiding at The Valley, he didn’t think Caulfield would prove to be a problem for his galloper.
“I don’t think he’s a one-trick pony. He’s pretty versatile,” Hayes said,
“Broadsiding looked pretty special winning first-up, but it’s still an advantage for us having to come here and meet us in our corner.”
“We’re fit and healthy and he’s there to run a big race. He’s had faultless preparation and he keeps on getting better.”
Hayes only has to look at last year’s result to get a confidence boost as Griff completed the Stutt Stakes and Caulfield Guineas double.
In doing so at $35 he defeated the boom Sydney galloper Militarize, who started at $2.60 and had similar form to Broadsiding, having also won the G1 Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old and the J.J Atkins Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Militarize also had done all of his racing in Sydney and Brisbane just as Broadsiding also has.