Hayes keen on Rising Romance in Makybe Diva Stakes

Lindsay Park co-trainer David Hayes is very keen on the chances of his Group 1 winning mare Rising Romance in Saturday’s Group 1 $400,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Trainer David Hayes is keen on the chances of Rising Romance, above, in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Trainer David Hayes is keen on the chances of Rising Romance, above, in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Hayes can see Rising Romance getting the run of the race from her rails barrier draw and knows she will be strong at the end of the 1600m following her first up sxith to Boban in the Group 1 $400,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago.

“She was very good first up. She has drawn barrier one, she should get the gun run in the first half a dozen, maybe one row back,” Hayes said.

“I think it was one of the best losing runs first up, so she has improved a bit since.”

“I’m going to tip in the hardest race, Rising Romance each way.”

Up until her run in the Memsie Stakes, Rising Romance was prepared by New Zealand trainer Donna Logan and the top Kiwi trainer was able to prepare her as a three year old to win the 2014 Group 1 $1m Seven News Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick during the Autumn Carnival.

Logan was also in charge when Rising Romance looked to have the 2014 Group 1 $3m Caulfield Cup (2400m) won until the high quality Japanese stayer Admire Rakti stormed down the middle of the track to grab her close to the line.

Rising Romance was then back in the Autumn this year with a first up win over 1500m at Ellerslie before running second to Sakhee’s Soldier in the Group 1 NZ$200,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on March 7.

The Ekraar mare then ran second to Scratchy Bottom in the Group 3 $150,000 Hertz Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on March 21 before her Autumn Carnival campaign was brought to a halt because of a hoof injury.

Rising Romance is well in contention in the Makybe Diva Stakes market order at $11 with Ladborkes.com.au.

The Chris Waller trained multiple Group 1 winner Boban heads the betting at $4.40 ahead of the well supported Fawkner at $6 and Alpine Eagle at $7.

Makybe Diva Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.40 Boban, $6 Fawkner, $7 Alpine Eagle, $10 Weary, $11 Volkstok’N’Barrell, Hi World, Rising Romance,  $12 Entirely Platinum, Happy Trails, $16 Mongolian Khan, $26 Smokin’ Joey, Awesome Rock, $31 Our Ivanhowe, Magicool,  $41 Prince Of Penzance, Gust Of Wind, $101 Dandino.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.