Evaporate chases maiden G1 at Caulfield
Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) has yet to taste success at Group 1 level but the team behind the Lindsay Park-trained galloper says his turn is not far away.
The Ben, Will and J D Hayes-trained four-year-old makes his autumn return in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Ben Hayes said Evaporate was a more hardened horse this campaign which should hold him in good stead for his upcoming campaign.
Evaporate has had five starts at Group 1 previously, finishing in the placings on three occasions, including a third in the Caulfield Guineas, a second in the Toorak Handicap and a last start third in the C F Orr Stakes behind Jimmysstar.
As a three-year-old, the Lindsay Park team thought enough of Evaporate to contest the 2024 Cox Plate, finishing last behind Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock), while he finished fourth in last year's Futurity Stakes behind Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) before heading across to New Zealand.
Evaporate did not have long out in the spelling paddock following his Orr Stakes placing and as Lindsay Park do, was afforded two jump-outs to prepare for Saturday's return.
"I think he's trialled up very well this time around," Hayes said.
"What we really like is he seems a lot more relaxed and has shown us a really good turn of foot in both his jump-outs and his work at home.
He's a horse that has always shown us above average ability and it's a race he can run very well in.
"He has already shown that he is capable at weight-for-age before and he's a more hardened horse now."
While Hayes believes Evaporate is a more hardened horse this time around, the co-trainer also knows there is a stumbling block in the form of Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) on Saturday.
Treasurethe Moment resumed in the spring to claim the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over Saturday's course and distance, lowering the colours of stable favourite Mr Brightside.
"It would be nice to get that Group 1 on his CV," Hayes said of Evaporate.
"He's a Group 1 horse, but we're going to run into a horse like Treasurethe Moment who was amazing last spring campaign.
"But I think we've improved, which we have to, to beat her."
