Evaporate is still searching for a Group 1 victory, though the Lindsay Park camp insists that victory at the elite level is imminent for the galloper.
The four-year-old under the guidance of Ben, Will and J D Hayes will launch his autumn campaign in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
Ben Hayes noted that Evaporate enters this preparation as a tougher competitor, a factor that bodes well for his forthcoming efforts.
The horse has competed five times at Group 1 grade before, securing placing finishes in three of those outings, such as third in the Caulfield Guineas, runner-up in the Toorak Handicap, and most recently third in the C F Orr Stakes to Jimmysstar.
During his three-year-old season, Lindsay Park deemed Evaporate worthy of a shot in the Cox Plate, where he came home last behind Via Sistina, and he was fourth in last season’s Futurity Stakes to Mr Brightside prior to a trip to New Zealand.
After his Orr Stakes effort, Evaporate enjoyed a brief freshen-up in the paddock, typical of Lindsay Park methods, followed by a pair of jump-outs ahead of his Saturday comeback.
“I think he’s trialled up very well this time around,” Hayes said.
“What we really like is he seems a lot more relaxed and has shown us a really good turn of foot in both his jump-outs and his work at home.
He’s a horse that has always shown us above average ability and it’s a race he can run very well in.
“He has already shown that he is capable at weight-for-age before and he’s a more hardened horse now.”
Although Hayes views Evaporate as stronger this preparation, the trainer acknowledges the challenge posed by Treasurethe Moment in the race.
Treasurethe Moment kicked off her spring last time with a win in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at the same track and distance, defeating stable star Mr Brightside.
“It would be nice to get that Group 1 on his CV,” Hayes said of Evaporate.
“He’s a Group 1 horse, but we’re going to run into a horse like Treasurethe Moment who was amazing last spring campaign.
“But I think we’ve improved, which we have to, to beat her.”
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