STAKES HIGH FOR HAYES’ HOPES

ALTHOUGH it is midwinter David Hayes is regarding the meeting at the Valley as pivotal to the spring prospects of three of his team’s horses running.

They are former English galloper Biometric, Sikorsky and Crosshaven.

Hayes said with the older gallopers Biometric and Sikorsky they needed to win to increase their ratings so they could run in better races.

“I’m thinking they are nice horses for a race like the Toorak Handicap but both need to lift their ratings points by at least 10 points to get in.”

Biometric made his Australian debut at Caulfield recently and Hayes was pleased with the effort as he said he had little luck when he finished ninth behind Heptagon over 1400m.

“If he had got to the outside in the straight he would have gone close.

“He’s a smart horse, he won the Britannia over 1600m at Royal Ascot and you have to be a good horse to win that race.

“His work and his trials and jump-outs also say he’s a horse that would be able to measure up in a race like the Toorak.

“That’s the level horse he is to me.”

Biometric is $4.60 to win the Travis Harrison Cup (1600m) and will be ridden by Craig Williams.

Sikorsky, who is a $2.70 chance to win the Dynamic Print Group Handicap (1600m) was just beaten on the same day at Caulfield in the last stride by All Too Huiying.

Hayes said things didn’t work out for Sikorsky who was stuck in an awkward spot during the run.

“It was a good run and it was full of merit.

“I’m hoping he can be too strong.”

Hayes is also looking towards the spring with twoyear-old gelding Crosshaven ($3 favourite) who runs in the opening race. of