Ben Hayes has found that opportunities can be scarce throughout a preparation with his mare Madiyya, a lesson he’s learned well over her career.
Consequently, narrow defeats in her last two outings have been particularly difficult to accept.
The Super Seth filly has been beaten in photo finishes at her past couple of starts, each time finding herself unable to gain clear passage until approximately 250 metres from the finish line, which proved to be about 50 metres too late.
Madiyya, a rising five-year-old, has not had a campaign extend beyond four starts previously. However, Hayes has observed enough this preparation to believe she can make a strong comeback in Saturday’s $130,000 Sportsbet Feed BM78 Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield.
“That’s been her problem as a horse, she’s never really handled her training,” Hayes remarked.
“But this prep she’s actually held weight and doing really well.”
“She’s an older mare now and hopefully we can get the result, because when she gets it all together she’s got the ability.”
These two close losses, both at Flemington, followed a fourth-place finish on debut at the same track, where she was beaten just over 1-3/4 lengths by Capper Thirtynine.
In her 10-start career, Madiyya has consistently finished no worse than fifth, with three victories, two second placings, and two thirds to her name.
She has drawn barrier 11 for Saturday’s 16-horse field and will be guided by Jamie Mott, a jockey contending for the metro jockeys’ premiership.
Madiyya boasts an undefeated record in her two starts at Caulfield. Saturday’s race will mark the mare’s first venture beyond 1600 metres, a distance Hayes believes she is ready for, carrying the distinctive Trelawney Stud silks.
“I think (benchmark) 78, over 1700 should be ideal for her and she’s building fourth-up,” said Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers Will and JD.
Madiyya, currently the favourite at $4.80, will be accompanied in Saturday’s race by stablemate Oriental Smoke. Oriental Smoke is a $51 outsider and is having his fourth start since returning from a stint in Hong Kong, with Jackson Radley booked to ride.
For those keen on the action, exploring the latest Australian betting sites can provide competitive racing odds.
