Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes target metro title after claiming Victorian premiership

The Hayes brothers were the leading trainers in the state last season but want to give Ciaron Maher a run for his money in the metro premiership when the new season begins this weekend.

Lindsay Park has sights on challenging Ciaron Maher in the Melbourne training premiership.

Brothers Ben, JD and Will Hayes claimed the state title last season, with 240 Victorian winners.

Lindsay Park saddled 253½ winners Australia-wide – up from 199 the previous season.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes credited the success to the Lindsay Park collective – staff, owners and horses.

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“Since being in partnership – JD and I, and then Will, JD and I – every year we have had really nice improvement and last year, we were very annoyed we didn’t get 200,” Hayes said.

“It’s a great effort by the whole team behind us, who are working really hard.

“We get really good support from our owners and we’ve got a great team (horses) behind us now.”

Evaporate and Shining Smile produced five wins apiece for Lindsay Park last season, while five other horses including Dublin Journal, Marble Arch, Rise At Dawn saluted on four occasions.

Mr Brightside and inherited War Machine, previously trained by late Michael Moroney, combined for six wins, three at the highest level and about $6m prizemoney.

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Despite the overall Victorian success, Lindsay Park trailed the powerhouse Maher yard 113 winners to 69 in the metropolitan trainers’ premiership but saddled 300 fewer starters in Melbourne.

“Will, JD and I are just proud (of the results) and hopefully, we’ve got a big task ahead of us next year to try and beat what we’ve set this year,” Hayes said.

“It’s definitely been our best year to date … to be leading Victorian trainer for all wins is a good effort, hopefully, we’ll be a little bit more competitive next year with metro, that’s our aim.”

Trainers Will, Ben and JD Hayes, with Mr Brightside and strapper Will Evans, claimed the Victorian premiership with 240 winners. Picture: Michael Klein

Lindsay Park improved its metropolitan output 66 to 69 year-on-year.

“We trained a couple more metro winners this year, I think we’ve got the quality to improve again,” Hayes said.

“Ciaron has been dominant for years now, it would be good to hopefully make it a bit more even but we’ll be trying our best and being as competitive as we can be.”

Hayes could make an impression on Saturday at Flemington with six starters, including Aztec State.

“He didn’t win the other day but it was a huge run,” Hayes said.

“He’s building nicely and could pop up.”

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Lindsay Park has the firepower to compete anywhere, anytime this season with Mr Brightside, War Machine, Evaporate and Rise At Dawn primed for spring campaigns.

Shining Smile, Scenic Point, Tycoon Star spearhead generation next.

Aztec State is one of six runners for Lindsay Park at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Hayes said Lindsay Park Euroa, Flemington and Pakenham stables were “probably at capacity now”, with horses inherited from late Melbourne Cup-winner Moroney and Godolphin more recently.

“There’s been a big influx of horses and also had good support from our two-year-olds,” Hayes said.

“There’s lots of exciting unraced ones too, which is great … full steam ahead.

“We have got to work harder than ever to try and win that metro premiership.”

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Mr Brightside is slated to trial on Monday.

“He’s building up well, he looks great,” Hayes said.

“We cannot fault him.”

Stradbroke Handicap-winner War Machine is being aimed at the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) next month in a bid to boost potential The Everest stocks.

Originally published as Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes target metro title after claiming Victorian premiership