Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes has put the return to victory for Plymouth down to fitting blinkers during the Caulfield meeting.
The galloper prepared by Ben, Will and J D Hayes notched his initial success since securing the Benalla Cup back in September by claiming the Lamaro’s After The Last Handicap (2000m) at the weekend.
Under the guidance of Jamie Mott, Plymouth ($7.50) triumphed by three-quarters of a length over Howlin’ Rain ($13), while Brayden Star ($51) finished a half-length further back in third position.
Ben Hayes explained that the Lindsay Park operation had been holding off until the ideal moment to refit the blinkers on Plymouth, who previously sported winkers.
Following a 12th-place effort in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield during April, Plymouth achieved third in a benchmark 1000 race under identical setup to Saturday’s event.
“We just felt last start at Flemington that he probably hit the front early and peaked on his run.” Hayes said.
“He had been relaxing so well all prep after we had been wanting him to relax, that we had put the blinkers on him.
“Back in trip, the blinkers went on today and it was a ten-out-of-ten ride from Jamie.
“He had been running really well, and it was well-deserved.”
Hayes noted the intention was to position Plymouth prominently and build assurance from the Saturday success.
The sole worry beforehand for the Lindsay Park trainers concerned Plymouth’s ability to cope with the Soft 7 track.
“After today I think we’ll keep him to 2000 (metres) and with the blinkers on, he definitely got the couple of lengths that he needed,” Hayes said.
“He’s lightly exposed on wet tracks, and that was a question mark, the Soft 7. I thought he did a good job handling that, so it’s all very good going into winter.”
The next steps remain a topic for Hayes and his siblings to deliberate.
Heading to Brisbane up north remains an option.
“I was thinking about that, but I’ll need to talk to my brothers, or we could stay here and win another one of these types of races,” Hayes said.
“But I know the owners don’t mind a trip.”
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