05/09/2008 12:37 PM
Master trainer David Hayes' Argentine experiment continues on Saturday in the Makybe Diva Stakes when he unveils the highly-rated Indio Glorioso.
The four-year-old stallion is the latest Argentine galloper Hayes has trained since he returned to Australia from Hong Kong.
Hayes had success with free-wheeling front runner Vroom Vroom, who ran fourth in an Australian Cup and was placed at Group Two level before suffering a fatal injury during track work.
But he was not as fortunate with sprinting mare Oxigenada, who won only once in her nine starts in Australia after winning her first seven races in Argentina, and Lancettier, who was bought as a Hong Kong Derby prospect but is now over the jumps.
Indio Glorioso was a dual Group One winner in Argentina and had 'nice staying potential', Hayes said.
"He was their top-rated three-year-old there, he might be a very good chance down here," he said.
"His form's very similar to Vroom Vroom."
But the galloper, on the comeback trail from injury, will be having his first start this Saturday since last November and will start at huge odds in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
"He's a well credentialed horse who I think can run a nice race but I'd be surprised if he could beat Weekend Hussler or Light Fantastic," Hayes said.
Hayes will also saddle up last year's VRC Derby winner Kibbutz, who was a well-beaten seventh when resuming three weeks ago in the Liston Stakes over 1400 metres.
"He'll run a much better race. Still a bit short for him but he'll run well," said Hayes, who believed Kibbutz would be far better suited on the wide spaces of Flemington.
Proven stayers Gorky Park and The Fuzz will kick off their cups campaign at Flemington.
Gorky Park, a 3200m winner last preparation, will resume in the The Sofitel Handicap over 1700m but Hayes did not expect the five-year-old to show his best until he reached 2400m.
"I think he'll need the run," Hayes said. "When he hits the mile and a half he'll be in the major cups but I don't think he'll find his best form until then."
Hayes said The Fuzz, a winner of the G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) second-up in the autumn, was heading towards the Caulfield Cup and a possible trip west to Perth.
He resumes over 1400m in the Listed Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes.
"He'll run well but I don't think he could win," Hayes said.