In an ideal world, Beast Mode would be scooting around the Moonee Valley circuit chasing victory in the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes.
But with the Moonee Valley undergoing a transformation and offline for the best part of another 12 months, the 1000m scamper of the Carlyon Stakes will this year be run on the Hillside track at Sandown.
The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes has Beast Mode in good form, but Ben Hayes said the team was shattered the race was not at Moonee Valley, the venue of Beast Mode’s last two victories.
“It was the perfect track for him,” Hayes said.
While Moonee Valley may be the perfect track for the sprinter, Beast Mode does hold winning form at Sandown over the 1000m journey.
In four starts at the track and trip, Beast Mode has been out of the money just once.
Hayes said the downhill run early suits Beast Mode.
“He’s a fast horse, so let fast horses be fast,” Hayes said.
“He can get rolling early and I reckon he can run well.
“We’re happy with him.”
The Carlyon Stakes has undergone an upgrade from Listed level to Group 3 for this year’s running.
The previous two winners – Baraqiel and Mornington Glory – later went on to win the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
The Moir is also run at Sandown this year, two weeks after Saturday’s race, and could be on the agenda for Beast Mode.
But first there is the Carlyon Stakes after the sprinter ran in Sydney last start where he lumped 61kg into third place.
Beast Mode drops to 57kg on Saturday.
“He ran super,” Hayes said of his Sydney performance.
“He got run over late. He was a month between runs, no trial.
“This time it’s two weeks into the Carlyon, plus he gets a little drop in weight.”
Beast Mode has drawn barrier three and will be ridden by Blake Shinn.
