The transition has been smooth with the new training team of Ben and JD Hayes taking control at Lindsay Park.
Two weeks into the new partnership at Lindsay Park and Ben Hayes is happy with the early results.
The partnership with his brother JD commenced on June 21 with the stable’s first winner under their names coming at their ninth starter.
That was Zayydani (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2137m) at Eagle Farm five days and in the week since that victory they have notched a further four winners from 32 runners.
They are still looking for their first metropolitan winner in Melbourne having notched three placings, including Biometric (Bated Breath), who finished third in the Listed VRC/CRV Winter Championship Series Final at Flemington on Saturday.
Hayes said it has been business as usual since his cousin Tom Dabernig left the training partnership and his brother stepped in.
“The horses have all been running really well,” Hayes said.
“And I have to say a big thank-you to all the staff for the seamless transition.
“It was a big thrill for JD to get a stakes winner as his first winner as a trainer.”
As for Zayydani, she is enjoying a short break in preparation for a shot at some of the later Melbourne Spring Carnival races.
A four-year-old daughter of Savabeel, Zayydani has appreciated the races getting longer.
Hayes said he hopes to have the mare campaigning towards the backend of the Melbourne Cup carnival and the revamp to Zipping Classic Day, positioned at the end of November, could work in her favour,
“We’ll give her a freshen and look to the back end of the carnival with her,” Hayes said.
“Races like the Matriarch Stakes (2000m), the Ballarat Cup (2000m), even the Zipping Classic (2400m) or if she’s looking like a real stayer, maybe the Sandown Cup (3200m) could be suitable targets.”
