Victorian trainer Ben Hayes is always looking at Sydney options for the Lindsay Park team and couldn’t resist a trip north to Randwick with Nicolini Vito and former Hong Kong stayer Helene Leadingstar on Saturday.
The pair will be Lindsay Park’s second Sydney venture this season after Lady Of Honour’s unplaced effort in the Golden Eagle, but it could become more regular.
Nicolini Vito launches down the outside to win at Flemington last month.Credit:Racing Photos
“It is about the right races at the right time, and I think we have found them for both of these horses,” said Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brother JD.
“We are always looking at Sydney, but it’s a trip you don’t want to waste; if you decide to go there, it has to be at the right time.
“Sydney offers different races to Melbourne, and we were looking for a 2000m race with Helen Leadingstar third up, and it was there with a drop in grade, while with Nicolini Vito, it looks an easier race in Sydney this week than taking on some the better horses coming back for the autumn in the Dillon Stakes in Melbourne next week.”
Nicolini Vito has been backed from $8 into $4 to challenge Titanium Power for favouritism in the listed Carrington Stakes as his preparation, which started at the Flemington carnival, comes towards an end.
He won at Flemington over 1400m before Christmas, before being trapped wide when sixth in the Chester Manifold Stakes on New Year’s Day in a race where Carrington topweight Looks Like Elvis was runner-up.
“He has had a really good preparation and didn’t have the best of luck last start,” Hayes said.
“These races are his level. We looked at the Dillon, but this race looked a better option just because it’s a little easier and he got in well.
“Once we made the decision, we were able to get the world’s best jockey [James McDonald] to ride, so he will get his chance to get a black-type win.
“[Nicolini Vito] is so honest you know what you’re going to get from him, and he will finding the line late.”
Helene Leadingstar, which won the 2018 South Australia Derby when known as Leicester, is in his first campaign since returning from Hong Kong and gets to a staying trip for the first time back in Australia.
The now eight-year-old is enjoying the country life at Euroa and was third behind So Si Bon and Detonator Jack in what was a sprint home over 1700m at Sandown two weeks ago.
“With his rating, these benchmark 88s in Sydney are better options than benchmark 100 and open races that are available in Melbourne,” Hayes said.
“He had reached his level in Hong Kong and he’s loving being back here, just being trained out of a paddock, and his two runs have been very good.
“He just has a bit of spring in his step and, being an SA Derby winner, getting to this trip should see him at his best.”
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