No risks on Redkirk

TRAINER David Hayes believes only an overnight downpour can stop resuming sprinter Redkirk Warrior at Flemington today as he steps up preparations for a tilt at the $10 million The Everest next month.

Redkirk Warrior outclassed his rivals at Flemington in March to win the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap by two lengths before going to Sydney and floundering on heavy tracks at Randwick.

Hayes said the seven-year- old was “flying” ahead of his return in the Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) down the Flemington straight as the stable shoots for a third straight win in the race.

But with the $10 million event The Everest in Sydney the gelding’s major target — with a slot expected to come Redkirk Warrior’s way — Hayes won’t be taking any risks if the heavens open up in Melbourne.

“He’s proven first up [winning two from five] and is absolutely flying,” Hayes said.

“I am sure he is going to run well and set him up for the Everest. He ticks a lot of boxes.

“But if the weather does come in and the track gets slow to heavy, he won’t run.”

Hayes declared Redkirk Warrior his best for the day among a massive 17 entries for the stable across the nine-race card.

Among them is gun threeyear-old filly Catchy, who is looking to bounce back from a last-start loss and get back on track for the $2 million Caulfield Guineas.

“I think she is right back to where she was at the end of her two-year old career,” Hayes said of this year’s Blue Diamond winner.

“She just got beaten first up. She looks like she has improved.

“She has had a month between runs, She trialled well up the straight. She’s a high-class filly.

“It will take a good one to beat her.”

Hayes said he had no issue with Catchy taking on the colts in the Caulfield Guineas after she flew home to beat the best boys in the Blue Diamond in February.