Tony McEvoy’s improving three-year-old Hey Doc will be tried at a mile again back at Flemington Racecourse next month in the 2017 Australian Guineas after an impressive CS Hayes Stakes win.

Hey Doc will return to Flemington for the Australian Guineas 2017 after winning the CS Hayes Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Winner of the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) over the mile at Moonee Valley last September, the Duporth gelding then ran third in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and fourth in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes over the same distance to see out his spring prep.

Hey Doc returned on February 4 in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) running third to the filly Legless Veuve, but was back in the winners’ stall second-up on Black Caviar Lightning Stakes Day.

Fitter for his first-up run, the youngster was well-supported to take out the $150,000 Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) and didn’t disappoint.

Jockey Luke Currie retained the ride and after the horse jumped away from the good gate brilliantly, his hoop got him to settle back just off the pace set by Manolo Blahniq with cover.

Manolo Blahniq led the CS Hayes Stakes field around the turn for home right until the 300m line on the straight when the challengers came.

Hey Doc had saved plenty in the run and burst to the lead 200m out flying home late to deliver in impressive fashion enjoying a smart win over Malaise with Land Of Plenty running on well for third at big odds.

“Tony and the team have done a real good job with him,” Currie said.

“He had a few odd little issues when he first come back that just needed ironing out.

“Today he was a lot more relaxed.”

McEvoy said it was impossible not to give Hey Doc a shot at the $750,000 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) on March 4, a race the past two winners came into via the CS Hayes Stakes.

Hey Doc will be out to complete the double last achieved by Wandjina (2015) and McEvoy is hoping his horse draws the right barrier to be competitive.

“He’s a real, proper 1400m horse the way he travelled and quickened, he really impressed me today,” McEvoy said after the win.

“I loved his turn of foot.

“He’s got to go to the Guineas on that so we’ll try him again at a mile.

“If he could draw a gate he’s got good speed and can get into a controlling position so we’ll go to the Group 1.”

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2017 CS Hayes Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Flemington Race 6 – 18/02/2017