Hayes Happy With John Monash Stakes Duo

David Hayes has both Miss Promiscuity and Pago Rock in the 2015 John Monash Stakes field and he is happy with both his runners heading into the Group 3 event at Caulfield tomorrow.

Miss Promiscuity is one of two David Hayes-trained runners in the 2015 Sir John Monash Stakes. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell

Miss Promiscuity is one of two David Hayes-trained runners in the 2015 Sir John Monash Stakes. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell

Miss Promiscuity started her winter campaign with a close second behind Minaj in the Mitsubishi Superscreen Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on April 18 and maintained her strong form with a pair of second place finishes behind the talented Hazard in the Ern Jensen Funerals Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on May 2 and the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 16, but she failed to fire in the Cafetto Evo Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on June 6.

Hayes blamed the lack of blinkers for the poor performance of Miss Promiscuity in the Cafetto Evo Handicap, but he told AAP that he is confident that the four-year-old can return to a semblance of her best form if she receives some luck in running in the 2015 John Monash Stakes tomorrow.

“I just feel that Miss Promiscuity is going very, very well but will need a lot of luck from that barrier,” Hayes said.

“We took them off (blinkers) and she didn’t fire so we think that’s why she ran poorly the other day.

“I’d forget her last run.”

Pago Rock won the 2013 edition of the John Monash Stakes and has the chance to join Super Elegant as the only two-time winner in the history of the race.

The consistent sprinter failed to fire when he returned to racing in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on April 18, but she produced improved performances at Flemington on May 9, in the Listed The Straight Six (1200m) at the same venue on May 23 and the Rod Johnson Handicap (1100m) on June 13.

Hayes confirmed that Pago Rock will wear blinkers in the John Monash Stakes this weekend and he feels that the veteran sprinter is more than capable of recording his first race win since he took out the Noel Rundle Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield in April of last year.

“Pago Rock is in great, consistent form and has blinkers back on, so he could pull one out,” Hayes said.

“I would lean to Miss Promiscuity but the barrier draw levels them up a bit.

“I’d expect them to be pretty close to weighing in, without being over-confident of winning.”

Miss Promiscuity is currently available at 2015 John Monash Stakes odds of $16, while Pago Rock has drifted out to a quote of $26.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.