Straight experience pays off

Experience down the straight has proved invaluable with Lindsay Park-trained fillies finishing one-two at Flemington. 

The Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained Gin Twist and La Gitana ran the quinella in the Listed TAB We're On (1000m) on Saturday having contest an 800m jump-out on the Flemington straight on February 20. 

Ben Hayes said that experience had been invaluable as the third Lindsay Park member, the $3.20 favourite Jacaranda, was not afforded the same opportunity as her stablemates and wound up in fifth spot. 

Ridden by Luke Currie, Gin Twist ($3.50) scored a 1-¾ length win from La Gitana ($5) with The Troubleshooter ($17) a further 2-¾ lengths away third. 

"Two-year-olds are very hard," Hayes said. 

"They either get it wrong, which we saw with Jacaranda, who dropped the bit early and didn't look comfortable, they don't know how to get into a rhythm, whereas the other two were professional, they jumped, got into a rhythm and gave good kicks. 

"It's a bit of a guessing game when you're running them and I say that to the owners, they either handle it or they won't. 

"We say don't worry about that as they will improve out of sight. Having a look and seeing how they handle it is very important." 

Hayes said the team was placed under pressure from Coolmore Australia supremo Tom Magnier who wanted a one-two-three finish from the Hayes fillies. 

With the yearling selling season in full swing, he wanted the result for sire Home Affairs who sired the three two-year-olds. 

"We had a bit of pressure on us," Hayes said. 

"Tom said to us, if we didn't get the trifecta with the Home Affairs fillies, we would be in trouble. 

"Sorry Tom, we only got the quinella, hopefully that's OK. 

"It was an impressive win. I got a bit worried as she got a bit hot in the mounting yard and got a bit worked up, but she jumped, she looked like she was comfortable the whole race and went to the line quite easily." 

Hayes said the stable would have a discussion to see where the filly heads, but he did not rule out a trip to Sydney for a potential crack at the Golden Slipper at Rosehill next month.