Co-trainer David Hayes is confident that impressive first-up winner Redkirk Warrior will prove extremely tough to beat when he takes his position in Saturday’s 2017 Doncaster Mile field at Royal Randwick.
David Hayes is thrilled with Redkirk Warrior ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Redkirk Warrior produced a number of smart efforts through the early stages of his racing career whilst under the care of William Haggas in Britain and through a stint in Hong Kong, but the horse was all but retired from racing after suffering a strong of hoof issues.
Having broken a 100-year record when he stormed home to win the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) first-up on March 11th, Hayes told AAP that he could not be more pleased with the Notnowcato gelding leading into the Doncaster Mile and is confident that he can successfully leap up in distance on Saturday.
“I’m very lucky to have him,” Hayes said.
“He was pretty successful then he got a flat tyre. Something went wrong with his feet and he didn’t race for a year. They virtually retired him from Hong Kong.
“He was sent to us and our farrier did a great job with him. He’s very good in his feet now.
“I’m pretty confident he’s ready for the mile. I think he’s a weight-for-age horse with a handicapper’s weight (53kg). He’s been set for this race.”
Redkirk Warrior debuted in Hong Kong for a credible fifth in the Wang Chau Handicap (1400m) in early 2015, before storming home to win the Yau Oi Handicap (1600m) three weeks later.
Running second to Thunder Fantasy in the Group 1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), Redkirk Warrior failed to fire when eleventh in the Group 1 Hong Kong Derby (2000m), and ended his tenure a credible fifth in the Chevalier Cup (1600m) later in the year.
Regan Bayliss has retained the ride on Redkirk Warrior and will jump from barrier 15 when he takes his place in the Doncaster Mile field.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2017 Doncaster Mile odds, for which Redkirk Warrior can be taken at a $9.50 quote.
