The Lindsay Park trio of Ben, Will and J D Hayes are hopeful a rise in distance will help Alenquer secure his first Australian win.
The French-bred gelding arrived in late 2022 as a Group 1 winner but was sidelined for almost two years after a tendon injury derailed his 2023 Melbourne Cup bid.
Transferred to Lindsay Park following Mike Moroney’s passing, Alenquer lines up for his fifth run under the Hayes brothers on Saturday.
A strong second at Moonee Valley over 2040m was followed by a seventh behind Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes (2000m).
“He’s getting out to a trip for the first time in a long time,” Ben Hayes said.
“We ran him in a very hard race last start… and I thought he held himself well.
“He did everything correct that day and the 2400 (metres) will be, I think, what he’s looking for now.”
After a long, gradual build following his tendon issues, Alenquer appears close to peak fitness and would appreciate rain-affected conditions.
“He’s fifth up, he’s got good fitness on his base… we hope to see the best of him,” Hayes said.
A strong showing could see him head to the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m), with the stable noting his positive attitude and ongoing soundness.
The Hayes team is yet to win a Zipping Classic, a race Moroney claimed twice with Sound.