Tawqeet - leading Hayes' Cup charge Photo by Racing and Sports
Wednesday, 27 September 2006: Top trainer David Hayes has been in good form this spring, especially at Caulfield, but is adamant history shows his performances are better at Flemington and has his sights set on another Melbourne Cup.
Hayes won his first and only Melbourne Cup in 1994 when the Shadwell Stud owned import Jeune scored a memorable win for Wayne Harris.
The win also catapulted Hayes onto the world stage and that same season went to Hong Kong where he was among the upper echelon for a decade, including a few premierships.
Having returned in the middle of last season, Hayes didn't waste any time finding his feet again and already this spring has stamped his authority on the carnival.
But he has a strong team of stayers on target for another Melbourne Cup, led by another Shadwell owned import Tawqeet.
The five-year-old was sent to Australia in April with the Cup in mind and after one “acclimatising” run in winter went for a spell to be aimed at the spring.
This time in he has finished a close-up fifth first-up with a big weight over a mile at Caulfield, then fifth over 1700m at Flemington in slow ground, again carrying a big weight.
Last start, over 2000m in the Naturalism Stakes, he drew off the track, had a big weight and was at the tail throughout before motoring home to finish fifth behind Zipping.
“At this stage he is my best Cups chance,” Hayes said.
“All his runs in Australia have been good but his latest was excellent. He's a good stayer with a nice weight in the Cup. He was sent here in April with the Melbourne Cup in mind and he's done everything right so far.”
Tawqeet, with just 52.5kg in the Cups, is a $20 Caulfield Cup chance with Sportingbet but just $14 for the Melbourne Cup.
Stablemates Short Pause and Defining are $61 and $126 for the Melbourne Cup and both are coming to hand according to Hayes.
Short Pause finished third behind Maybe Better last start over 2000m at his third run back and will run in the Metropolitan, while Defining, following a track galloper recently, resumed with 62kg over 1800m at Morphettville and will strip far fitter.
“Both horses are going well but won't be at their best until at least over a mile and a half,” Hayes said.
“Short Pause has settled in really well and he's ready to show his best form now, while Defining is nowhere near wound up yet but his next run is important in seeing how he's coming along.”
Jagger, another import who is already qualified for the Cup, is rated a $71 chance and will step out in Saturday's Ansett Classic at Mornington.
“He disappointed last start and was later found to have a virus,” Hayes said.
“He's another who will be fitter and we'll be looking to see improve over the mile and a half.”
Stablemates Gothic Marion and Purde and more than capable stayers but are unlikely to gain starts unless either can win a ballot exempt race.
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