No stopping talented trio
ALMOST 30 years to the day since David Hayes notched his first winner as a trainer, Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes contrived a successful start to their training partnership — a trend Lindsay Park hopes to continue at Caulfield in Melbourne today.
Watching from Hong Kong, David Hayes was elated as his nephew and son ushered in the latest chapter of the premier Victorian stable with Stormborn’s victory at Pakenham.
The triumph continued a remarkable trend.
David Hayes announced himself with So Surprising’s victory at Gawler in 1990 after succeeding his father and fellow Hall of Famer Colin Hayes.
The pattern continued in Hong Kong, when David Hayes runner Esteem — in the world’s best racing jurisdiction — saluted.
Hayes marked his return to Australian racing with a winner called Plans before forming a training partnership with Dabernig in 2014 and immediately succeeding with Wilderness at Geelong.
While Dabernig, who is the fifth man to head Lindsay Park’s training operation, declared the timing of Stormborn’s win was not deliberate, he was still delighted.
“I’d like to say it was well planned, but it was more good luck than anything else,” Dabernig said.
“She was entered to start her there today under the former partnership.
”We couldn’t be happier getting a winner straight away.”
Racing Victoria dissolved the David Hayes, Dabernig and Ben Hayes outfit on Thursday.
Under the rules of racing, David Hayes is unable to be licensed in both Australia and Hong Kong.
“It was great to see Tom and Ben start with a winner,” Hayes said.
“We had planned the succession for four years and Dad [Colin] would be very proud of his grandsons.
“It’s very exciting for the stable.”
Lindsay Park has three runners at Caulfield today, headed by Sonaree, who clashes with Muswellbrook and Five Kingdoms in the Neds Handicap (1400m).
Pure Scot contests the 1700m handicap.
Any winners for Dabernig and Hayes between now and the end of the season on July 31 will not count towards the Hayes, Dabernig and Hayes tally.
The trio currently leads Ciaron Maher and David Eustace by nine in the Victorian metropolitan trainers’ premiership.