Boom Time the one flying under radar, trainer reckons
MELBOURNE Cup-winning trainer David Hayes believes the market is overlooking the obvious in Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time heading into the $6 million race tomorrow.
Boom Time caused a boilover at Caulfield, winning the race at $51 but the six-year-old rates only a $26 chance with UBET to become the first horse since Ethereal in 2001 to win the Cups double.
While Hayes has always rated his other runner Ventura Storm ($35) as his more likely Melbourne Cup horse, he has been thrilled by Boom Time’s work and demeanour since taking out the Caulfield Cup just over a fortnight ago.
“Sometimes you just overlook the obvious, and his last 200m (in the Caulfield Cup) was better than anyone’s,” Hayes said.
“I have always thought Ventura (Storm) was the best (chance), but obvious form good form sometimes.
“He (Boom Time) is the Caulfield Cup winner and he will be the longest priced Caulfield Cup winner in a Melbourne Cup ever. Boom Time has no weight and the horse who ran third (Johannes Vermeer) is one of the favourites, so I am feeling pretty good.”
Hayes said he had no concerns about Boom Time getting the 3200m, despite his flop in the Sydney Cup this year on is a heavy track and the fact that his sire Flying Spur won a Golden Slipper.
“He is bred to run 900m, but I am not worried about the breeding,” he said.
“He had a hard run in the Caulfield Cup. He will relax and he will run the trip.”
As the sole owner of the horse, he had no issue keeping Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Cory Parish on board, saying he had done a great job not just with Boom Time, but with the others horses he has been riding at Euroa.
“I only have to answer to myself, so I thought I would give him the chance, and he has rewarded me,” he said.
He said Boom Time narrowly outpointed Ventura Storm in a track gallop at Flemington last week.
Ventura Storm had a torrid run in the Caulfield Cup and emerged with a bruised heel, but Hayes is adamant the horse is over the issue.