He Or She primed for Group One Perth races
Former Perth galloper He Or She is returning home for a shot at a Group One double.
He Or She was trained in Perth by Vaughn Sigley, who retains an ownership interest in the gelding who joined the Lindsay Park operation of David Hayes and Tom Dabernig in 2015 with Hayes’ son Ben now in the partnership.
The six-year-old runs in the Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday followed by the Kingston Town Stakes (1800m) on December 3.
David Hayes says He Or She will travel with Winterbottom Stakes contestants Sheidel and Keen Array to Perth.
The trainer said the intention throughout the Melbourne spring was to have He Or She primed for Perth.
“He’s had a month off and seems really bright and well,” Hayes said.
“We’ve always had Perth in mind and to have him peaking for these two races.
“He’s 50 per cent owned over there and has a good record at Ascot so he’s the logical horse to take over.”
He Or She won seven of his nine starts for Sigley, six of those at Ascot.
Despite not winning, He Or She had a successful Melbourne spring campaign.
He ran third behind Palentino in the Makybe Diva Stakes, finished second to Black Heart Bart in the Underwood Stakes before running third to Winx in the three-horse Caulfield Stakes last month.
He Or She hasn’t raced since finishing fifth behind The United States at Moonee Valley on October 22.
Craig Williams has been booked to ride in the Group One races.
Hayes said Sheidel and Keen Array had come through their hectic spring carnival well.
Sheidel won on the opening day of Melbourne Cup week before running fifth in the Darley Classic while Keen Array ran fourth on the opening day and finished seventh behind Malaguerra in the Darley.
“We gave them a little leg stretch on Saturday morning and they were flying,” Hayes said.
“I expect them to run well.”
Damien Oliver has been booked for Sheidel while a jockey has not yet been decided for Keen Array.