The Lindsay Park training partnership of Ben, Will, and J D Hayes will gain insight into Cafe Millenium’s prospects following an earlier race on Saturday’s Caulfield program.
Cafe Millenium is set to make its seasonal debut in the Evergreen Turf Handicap over 1400 metres, appearing two races after the return of Mr Brightside from an injury-induced hiatus in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, contested over the identical course and distance.
Previously under the care of Sydney trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, Cafe Millenium has spent its last two preparations with the Hayes brothers.
Cafe Millenium has advanced from winning a benchmark 84 event at its second start for Lindsay Park to securing victory on three occasions at Listed grade.
It is for this reason that Cafe Millenium has served as the sparring partner for Mr Brightside during his preparation for a racing comeback after undergoing surgery for a bone chip in a fetlock earlier in the year.
While Mr Brightside benefited from a trial at Caulfield Heath a fortnight ago, Cafe Millenium engaged in a gallop with its more celebrated stablemate between races at Sandown last week, narrowly outpacing the Lindsay Park star.
“He’s been the work partner of Mr Brightside the whole way through the preparation,” Ben Hayes commented.
“And I think Cafe Millennium is going particularly well and he’s not just a morning glory.
“He’s always worked well at home, and he always gives you confidence going into races, whereas Brightside is the opposite, always being a bit lazy in his gallops.”
Apprentice jockey Jackson Radley has been involved with Cafe Millenium in its preparation for its racing return, which included winning a 1000-metre jump-out at Flemington on August 14.
“Jacko has been very happy with his work, and we think he will run well fresh,” Hayes added.
Although Radley’s 2kg claim reduces Cafe Millenium’s weight to 60kg for Saturday’s race, the pair must contend with the second widest barrier in the 15-runner field.
Last year’s renewal of Saturday’s benchmark 100 handicap was claimed by Sepals when first-up, who subsequently went on to win the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over the same course and distance three weeks later.
Punters looking for value can explore the latest Australian betting sites for the Caulfield meeting.
