Hayes gives Rising Romance plug ahead of Caulfield Cup
LAST year, when trained by Donna Logan, Rising Romance looked to have the Caulfield Cup in its grasp, but a last ditch effort by Japanese raider Admire Rakti stole the show.
Now with David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Rising Romance is back for another tilt at the Caulfield Cup and Hayes sees similarities with it and his recent Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me.
“There’s a bit of Stay With Me about Rising Romance’s form,” Hayes said. “Her prep was going perfectly until she drew barrier 15 in the Turnbull [Stakes] and got a bad run and ride.
“If Stay With Me was ridden properly in the lead-up to the Thousand Guineas she’d have probably started favourite but she started a 7/1 ($8) chance.
“This mare is 10/1 ($11) and should be shorter than that.”
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Hayes believes the daughter of Ekraar has strengthened nicely this preparation and he gives it a genuine chance of going one better this year.
“She knows how to do it at this level and she’s going very well,” Hayes said.
“We’ve drawn well this time, I’m very happy with how she is going and she only has to carry the same weight she did last year when Admire Rakti grabbed her late.
“I think she has a very good chance.”
Hayes and Dabernig also have two runners in the Group 3 David Jones Cup. Dibayani is scheduled to start if it doesn’t get a spot in the Caulfield Cup off the ballot, and they also line up English import Velox.
“He [Velox[ was unlucky last start at Moonee Valley in a Group race after winning very impressively at Pakenham,” Hayes said.
“The remainder of this prep will be decided after Saturday. If he wins well we might look towards a Mackinnon or he could run in the Lexus.
“He’s a very promising horse I think.”
Velox is currently a $13 chance this Saturday, whereas Dibayani is at a value price of $6.50.