While the mid-winter period isn’t typically seen as a prime launching pad for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, the Lindsay Park training outfit is hopeful that will be the case for Hard Kick.

The promising gelding is on the verge of commencing a campaign that is being aimed squarely at the prestigious $2 million Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds, scheduled for Flemington on October 31.

Following a comfortable win in an 800-metre Werribee jumpout last Friday, and a soft second placing in a similar Flemington trial two weeks prior, the son of All Too Hard has impressed co-trainer Will Hayes, who is eager to see him return to racing.

Hard Kick, who boasts a brilliant victory in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) on February 14 as his sole start to date, is expected to bring valuable class to Flemington’s concluding meeting of the season.

“We’re going to look at a 1000-metre option for two-year-olds down the straight on the 18th of July,” Hayes, who partners with his brothers Ben and JD, stated.

“We’re very happy and glad that we erred on the side of caution by not exposing him to the back-up into the (Blue) Diamond, because it’s been the best thing for him going forward.

“I can’t fault him in the way he’s built up, he looks a better version of himself and I think his trial spoke for itself.

“His trial suggests that he’s right where we need him to be.”

In futures markets for the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Hard Kick is currently priced at $8, making him the third favourite, trailing only the Golden Slipper winner Guest House ($5) and the unexposed colt The Next Episode trained by Ciaron Maher ($6).

“It will be the traditional three-year-old path on the way towards a race like the Coolmore,” Hayes remarked.

“We do think he’s a horse that possesses incredible natural speed and we’re going to play to his strengths.”

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