Exosphere is currently available at 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes odds of $1.40, but rival trainer David Hayes is hopeful that Exosphere could be vulnerable in the Group 1 event at Flemington on Saturday.
Trainer David Hayes is hopeful that Keen Array can upset Exosphere in the 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Exosphere has taken all before him during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival and recorded dominant wins in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 29, the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at the same venue on September 12 and the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 3, but Hayes believes that the Coolmore Stud Stakes down the famous Flemington straight represents a different challenge for the son of Lonhro.
“We are taking on probably a champion sprinter and we have a lot of respect for him, but sometimes they get it wrong on the big day down the straight,” Hayes said at Breakfast With The Stars this morning.
Hayes will be represented by Keen Array in the 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes this weekend and he is happy with the Bel Esprit gelding ahead of the toughest test of his racing career to date.
The leading trainer admits that Keen Array will also be racing down the Flemington straight for the first time in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but he is taking confidence from the fact that the three-year-old has previously trialed at the home of the VRC and worked strongly at Breakfast With The Stars this morning.
“We have had a couple of trials down there as a young horse and a piece of work today,” Hayes said.
“He is sending messages to me that we will run a mighty race.”
Keen Array has shown Hayes plenty of talent since he entered his stable as a two-year-old, but he has finally delivered on his potential during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival.
The gelding started his campaign with a dominant seven lengths win at Geelong on August 14 and he proved that win was no fluke with an eight length romp at Pakenham on September 3 before he was beaten as a short-priced favourite in the National Jockeys Trust Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on September 19.
Keen Array returned to winning form with a strong effort in the Hill Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 2 and he stamped himself as the main threat to Exosphere in the Coolmore Stud Stakes after he took out the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 14.
Keen Array is currently available at 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes odds of $8 with Ladbrokes and is on the second line of betting behind Exosphere ($1.40).
You can score the best Coolmore Stud Stakes odds with Ladbrokes, who will offer Best Tote or Starting Price +20% for every single race at Flemington on Saturday.
