Despite a wide gate and the top weight the bookies are taking no chances on the Darren Weir-trained Australian Guineas hope Cliff’s Edge who leads the CS Hayes Stakes 2018 field and odds at Flemington this weekend.

Last start Manfred Stakes winner Cliff’s Edge is favourite to salute again in the CS Hayes Stakes 2018 on Saturday ahead of the Australian Guineas. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Set to run as Flemington Race 7 at 4:00pm (AEDT) as part of the Black Caviar Lightning Day action, this season’s Group 3 $150,000 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) features a capacity field of 16 starters plus two emergencies.

A key lead-up to the Group $1 million Australian Guineas (1600m) back at the track on March 3, the CS Hayes Stakes field is led by Weir’s Canford Cliffs colt Cliff’s Edge.

First-up winner of Caulfield’s Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) on February 3, Cliff’s Edge will be fitter for the run and is undefeated second-up (2:2-0-0).

He is yet to win in three Flemington runs, but even his midfield sixth to Tosen Stardom in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) at the track last November was brave seeing him beaten only two lengths.

Cliff’s Edge is at $5 in CS Hayes Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au to enjoy back-to-back autumn wins and is also the current $5.50 co-favourite with the filly Aloisia, who beat him home in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last prep by three and a half-lengths, in futures Australian Guineas odds for next month’s classic.

Weir is also represented in the CS Hayes on Saturday by the lightly-raced Peaceful State drawn well in barrier three, while Cliff’s Edge is out in gate 13 that will become 11 if the emergencies fail to gain a start.

Apprentice Ben Allen rides Animal Kingdom colt Peaceful State on Saturday, the youngster occupying the second line of betting at $5.50 behind his stablemate to make it three wins from five career starts.

Also right in the mix for the 2018 Australian Guineas at $7.50 to take out the Group 1, the up-and-comer has a 50% winning strike rate so far after a first-up 1300m win on February 7 and was impressive running second to Villermont in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) last November.

Four other three-year-olds are under $10 to win the CS Hayes Stakes this season, a race that has produced the past three Australian Guineas champions, including the market mover Grunt ($11 into $8.50).

Dual Australian Guineas winning trainer Mick Price is looking to add to his already impressive contingent heading towards the mile feature having accepted for a trio of three-year-olds on Saturday.

Price’s best current Australian Guineas horses are Mighty Boss and Holy Snow, but Grunt and Cao Cao get a chance to put forward their claims on Saturday.

The stable’s third CS Hayes Stakes acceptor meanwhile is the second emergency I Have Arrived, a roughie chance to make the starting line-up.

Grunt has Damien Oliver riding on the weekend, the well-supported O’Reilly colt chasing a third win on the trot.

Cao Cao is drawn a treat In gate two and is at $8.50 to salute, the son of Fastnet Rock also a last-start winner having saluted over 1400m at Caulfield on January 27.

Check out the full CS Hayes Stakes 2018 field and betting markets below, betting open on the race now at Ladbrokes.com.au who are also offering the top all-in Australian Guineas odds.

2018 CS Hayes Stakes Field & Odds