International winner Faatinah will kick off a light Spring Carnival campaign when he takes his place in the Listed $120,000 SAJ Fruit Supply Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday.
Faatinah, above, will be running first up in the Carlyon Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Faatinah will be having his first run back in Australia in the Carlyon Stakes after campaigning in Dubai earlier in the year for a win and a second from three starts at Meydan and Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes said that there is a good chance the six year old could return to the Middle East for their 2019 Dubai Carnival.
“We might keep a light campaign and he might be going back to Dubai for their Carnival again,” Ben Hayes said.
Faatinah has a terrific first up record with four wins from six attempts and proved that right with a first up win in the US$135,000 Abu Dhabi World Class Healthcare Cup (1200m) at Meydan in Dubai on January 18 and Hayes is expecting another good run while fresh.
Faatinah hasn’t started since finishing eighth to Jungle Cat in the Group 1 US$1m Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan in Dubai on March 31 but previewed a good first up performance with a solid gallop at The Valley on Monday morning.
“Just asked him to build up and do his best work late and we were thrilled with his gallop and he looks like he has really done well since has come back from Dubai,” Hayes said.
“I would be really confidence if it wasn’t such a tough race.”
“It has looks like he has improved. All his work at home is the best we have seen and he is going really well.”
“He is a very good fresh horse so I am looking forward to seeing him run.”
“He will be very competitive and he was very unlucky in a Moir here at The Valley a couple of starts back and he should run well.”
“He does have a good fresh record and I think he will run a cheeky race.”
Reagan Bayliss takes the ride on the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained Faatinah who has drawn barrier eight in the thirteen horse Carlyon Stakes field.
Betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on Carlyon Stakes race eve has Faatinah the second pick at $4.80 behind the $3.90 favourite Hey Doc who will jump from gate four with Luke Currie in the saddle.
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