Trainer David Hayes has changed Spring Carnival plans for English import Spillway who is now out of contention for the Group 1 $3m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 18.
Spillway is out of Caulfield Cup contention, will head to the Mackinnon Stakes. Photo by Steve Hart.
Hayes, who trains in partnership with his nephew Tom Dabernig, had been trying to qualify Spillway for the Caulfield Cup but after a disappointing ninth to Junoob in the Group 1 $400,000 McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick last Saturday has decided to change course.
The Lindsay Park trainer has doubts on Spillway’s staying ability and will now concentrate on the weight for age Group 1 $1m Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 1.
“There is a bit of a query whether he stays,” Hayes told Racing Network.
“I think I’ll freshen him up and go to the Mackinnon.”
Spillway won the Group 3 $150,000 Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) at Randwick on April 26 in his first campaign for Hayes and Dabernig and then ran an impressive first up second to Star Rolling in the Group 2 $200,000 Back To Caulfield P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16 at his first Spring Carnival outing.
The five year old stallion has been out of the placings at his three runs since including his last start ninth in the Metropolitan when beaten seven lengths.
Hayes is also trying to sneak his other English import, Stipulate, into the Caulfield Cup field but he could be a doubt at the distance as well after running an even race when fifth to Lucia Valentina in the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday.
“I thought he had his chance to win and he ran about as well as Puissance De Lune (who finished fourth),” Hayes said.
“It was an even sort of run. I’ll have a chat with the owner and see what he wants to do.”
Stipulate scored a first up win in the Listed $120,000 Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes (170m) at Caulfield on August 30 then was beaten less than three lengths when seventh to Foreteller in the Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 20 prior to his Turnbull Stakes run.
