Lindsay Park aims to extend their strong run in the Victoria Handicap, entering two runners in the Group 3 event at Caulfield.
The stable had struggled to win the 1400m race this century before Here To Shock claimed victory in 2024, with Nicolini Vito securing the win last year.
Here To Shock returns this Saturday seeking another triumph for trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes, accompanied by Cafe Millennium this time.
Previously, both Here To Shock and Nicolini Vito scraped into the Victoria Handicap carrying the minimum 54kg, but now Here To Shock has drawn the top saddlecloth with 60kg, while Cafe Millennium carries the second-heaviest weight at 58kg.
The team also nominated Give Me Space on 54kg, but he missed the cut for the field of 16 plus two emergencies and will contest the Noel Rundle Handicap over 1400m instead, allocated 62kg offset by Logan Bates’ 1.5kg claim.
Similar to Mr Brightside, Here To Shock remains a key part of the Lindsay Park string.
His initial stakes success was in the Listed Golden Mile at Bendigo in April 2023, followed by the Group 3 Victoria Handicap a year on.
He has triumphed at Group 3 level in Brisbane and Sydney, plus a Group 1 win in New Zealand last year, and ventured back there in February for a fourth at Te Rapa.
Back home, Here To Shock was runner-up to Scheelite in the Shaftesbury Avenue Stakes over 1400m at Flemington on March 7, then second again in a Werribee jump-out last week.
J D Hayes described Here To Shock as a veteran still performing at his peak.
“He trialled up super and he’ll run an honest race as he’s so consistent,” Hayes said.
Cafe Millennium can prove tricky to predict, yet possesses real talent on his best days, despite copping barrier 15 on Saturday.
He captured a Listed event at Flemington on February 14 prior to fifth behind Scheelite at Flemington on March 7.
“We scratched him from the heavy track last week,” Hayes said.
“He’s a good 1400-metre horse, but we would probably prefer him at Flemington.”
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