Jockey Jye McNeil believes Stakes is his own biggest hurdle, despite securing a win in The Valley @ Caulfield Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield Heath.
Stakes, who debuted successfully at Bendigo last month, claimed The Valley @ Caulfield Handicap (1200m) on Saturday, marking his second triumph from three career starts.
Sporting blinkers for the initial time, Stakes ($4.40) triumphed by a narrow margin of a short head over the $3.70 favourite Commit, with Put To The Sword ($14) finishing a neck further back in third place. Punters using the best betting apps Australia would have been pleased with Stakes’ strong showing.
In the interim between his maiden win at Bendigo and his recent Saturday success, Stakes secured a third-place finish over 1100m at Caulfield on July 25.
“I think they made all the difference,” McNeil commented regarding the blinkers on Stakes.
“The other day he didn’t participate in the race in the early stages and that put him out of contention.
“Today, he jumped a lot better with the blinkers on, plus we were up 100 metres in distance. We had cover for the first part and then we were stuck in a position three-wide outside the speed.
“He’s still so backward. He lays on the other horses, he was wayward in the straight and I had to go back to hands and heels in the straight to get the best out of him.
“The finished product is probably still a prep away, but he’s got the ability there.”
The Lindsay Park stable, managed by Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, prepares Stakes.
J D Hayes acknowledged that Saturday’s victory was hard-fought.
“He’s a horse that has always improved,” Hayes stated.
“He had the ultimate gear change as a younger horse and was always one that was going to develop into a lovely three-year-old type.
“Having that fitness under his belt, that told late and it came to the fore there late.”
Hayes mentioned that the team would assess how Stakes recovers before deciding on his next race.
“That had a bit more credit to it as he was exposed from a long way out and he’s still not doing things 100 per cent,” Hayes remarked.
“He’s a horse with a fair bit of improvement and I’m looking forward to seeing how he pulls up.”
Those looking for the best Australian betting sites will find competitive odds on emerging talents like Stakes.