The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and J D Hayes will get a guide as to the chances of Cafe Millenium after a race earlier in Saturday’s program at Caulfield.
Cafe Millenium runs first-up in the Evergreen Turf Handicap (1400m), two races after Mr Brightside makes his return off an injury enforced break in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over the same course and distance.
Formerly prepared in Sydney by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, Cafe Millennium has been with the Hayes brothers for his last two preparations.
Cafe Millenium has progressed from winning a benchmark 84 contest at his second start for Lindsay Park to being successful on three occasions at Listed level.
It is for that reason Cafe Millenium has been the sparring partner for Mr Brightside in his preparation for a return to racing following surgery for a bone chip in a fetlock earlier in the year.
While Mr Brightside benefitted from a trial at Caulfield Heath two Saturday’s ago, Cafe Millenium galloped with his more famous stablemate between races at Sandown last week, edging out the Lindsay Park star.
“He’s been the work partner of Mr Brightside the whole way through the preparation,” Ben Hayes said.
“And I think Cafe Millennium is going particularly well and he’s not just a morning glory.
“He’s always worked well at home, and he always gives you confidence going into races, whereas Brightside is the opposite, always being a bit lazy in his gallops.”
Apprentice Jackson Radley has been associated with Cafe Millenium in his preparation for his racing return, which includes taking out a 1000m jump-out at Flemington on August 14.
“Jacko has been very happy with his work, and we think he will run well fresh,” Hayes said.
While Radley’s 2kg claim brings Cafe Millenium in with 60kg on Saturday, they will have to negotiate the second widest gate in the 15-horse field.
Saturday’s race, at benchmark 100 level, was won last year by Sepals first-up, who three weeks later went on to claim the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance.
