Co-trainer David Hayes was thrilled to have added Rising Romance to the Lindsay Park operation at the beginning of the Spring Racing Carnival, and has revealed he could not me more pleased with the condition of the talented Kiwi import ahead of Saturday’s 2015 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Rising Romance began her racing career under the guidance of Donna Logan; posting an impressive five wins and seven minors through 18 competitive starts highlighted by success in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) and a close second to Admire Rakti in last year’s Caulfield Cup.

Running on for a credible sixth in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) in her first start for Hayes and co-trainer Tom Dabernig on August 29^th, the Ekraar mare progressed to fourth in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) before a completely luckless appearance in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) last time.

Hayes told Racing Ahead Rising Romance will line up for the 2015 Caulfield Cup a picture of health, and rates the five-year-old a serious chance for success from the ideal barrier 2.

“I’m thrilled with her,” Hayes said.

“She was a little but like Stay With Me going into the Guineas – she got a tough run from the wide barrier and things went a bit wrong but apart from that race, everything is right with her.

“You know your luck’s in when there’s 22 to choose and you get number 2, I jumped off the couch when she got that barrier.

“I’d say she’ll be in the first half a dozen for sure and she might even be in the first three.

“She’s had a good prep and I think if she got the run 100m early in the Makybe Diva she might have been the Makybe Diva winner going in.

“We’re happy. She’s a classy mare and we’re hoping she gets the same run as last year but hits the front 200m later.”

Rising Romance returned to racing in New Zealand in autumn this year; winning the Ophthalmic Instrument Co. Handicap (1500m) before running second in the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m); crossing the Tasman for a solitary start and second in the Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m).

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