3 minute read

Deep Field colt out to break long run of seconds in Group 1

Co-trainer Tom Dabernig is quietly confident that Aysar (Deep Field) can break his run of four consecutive seconds when he steps out in the Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The son of Deep Field (Northern Meteor) goes into Saturday’s Group 1 having run second in the Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m), Carbine Club Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m), Manfred Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) and most recently in the CS Hayes Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m). 

He got beaten by a half-length in the Caulfield Guineas when he started from a wide barrier. I think the Caulfield Guineas is great form for the Australian Guineas," said Dabernig - who trains the Shadwell Stud-raced colt in partnership with his cousin Ben Hayes.

"Then in the Carbine Club Stakes he looked to have his stablemate Crosshaven beaten but he just out-toughed him.

"In each of those runs he was beaten by smart horses.

"He's run into good horses each time. I thought his second in the C S Hayes Stakes was a great run.

"They ran the fastest 1400 metres for the day, more than half a second faster than the Vanity Stakes and a second-and-a-half faster than the open handicappers."

Dabernig said Tagaloa's (Lord Kanaloa) winning time of 1:21.63 was also the quickest C S Hayes for over 20 years.

"Tagaloa is a Group 1 winner and he looked back to the form he showed as a two-year-old. He's also unproven over 1600 metres," Dabernig said.

"Aysar came out of the race really well. I've trained him with purpose to peak third up in this race and all the signs say that's the case.

"He's a big, healthy, robust horse who will be spot-on."

Dabernig is quietly confident Aysar can break through in the Group 1 Guineas.

"My main query will be how he settles before the race as he can still be a bit too colty," he said.