Lindsay Park is anticipating a strong performance from Beast Mode in the Carlyon Stakes at Sandown, largely due to the favourable weight he will carry.
Ideally, Beast Mode would be competing at Moonee Valley for the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes.
However, with Moonee Valley currently undergoing renovations and expected to be out of action for approximately another year, the 1000-metre sprint of the Carlyon Stakes will be held at Sandown’s Hillside track this year.
The training team at Lindsay Park, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, have Beast Mode in excellent condition. Ben Hayes expressed disappointment that the race wouldn’t be held at Moonee Valley, the track where Beast Mode has secured his last two victories.
“It was the perfect track for him,” Hayes stated.
While Moonee Valley might be the ideal setting for the sprinter, Beast Mode has a proven record at Sandown over the 1000-metre distance.
In his four previous starts at Sandown over the 1000 metres, Beast Mode has only finished outside the placings on one occasion.
Hayes noted that the downhill section at the start of the Sandown track suits Beast Mode’s racing style.
“He’s a fast horse, so let fast horses be fast,” Hayes commented.
“He can get rolling early and I reckon he can run well.
“We’re happy with him.”
This year marks an upgrade for the Carlyon Stakes, moving from Listed to Group 3 status.
Remarkably, the two preceding winners, Baraqiel and Mornington Glory, went on to claim victory in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
The Moir Stakes is also scheduled to be held at Sandown this year, two weeks following Saturday’s race, and could potentially be a target for Beast Mode.
However, the immediate focus is on the Carlyon Stakes, especially after the sprinter’s last start in Sydney where he carried 61kg to a third-place finish.
Beast Mode’s weight will be reduced to 57kg for Saturday’s race.
“He ran super,” Hayes remarked about his Sydney performance.
“He got run over late. He was a month between runs, no trial.
“This time it’s two weeks into the Carlyon, plus he gets a little drop in weight.”
Beast Mode has been assigned barrier three and will be partnered by jockey Blake Shinn.
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