C S Hayes Memorial Cup – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 10 runners for the $107,250 C S Hayes Cup. Two of them are four-year-olds, one is a  five-year-olds five are six-year=olds and two are seven-year-olds. There is only one mare. Four runners had their last start in a 1400m BM86 race at Murray Bridge on 5 March and two in a 1400m Morphettville Parks BM 86 on 19 February while the rest came through different races. Mick Huxtable has two runners.

The early favourite is four-year-old  Royal Mile who has 6 wins from 14 starts and was 2nd in the Parks race. Second favourite is Farooq with 9 wins from 30 starts. Third favourite is Black Sail who won over 1600m at Morphettville last outing.

Secret Blaze is the topweight who resumed for 13 lengths 12th in the Orr Stakes last start after knuckling at the start.  Ritratto ran 2nd in this race last year and was 3rd at Murray Bridge last start, while  One More Jack won the Murray Bridge race last start ahead of Ritratto. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Secret Blaze

The topweight with 60kg, 4 kg more than the 2nd horse and 6 kg more than most of the field.  This six-year-old from the McEvoy stable resumed for 13 lengths 12th in the Orr Stakes after knuckling at the start.

2. Mongolian Marshall

A seven-year-old High Chaparral gelding trained by Stuart Gower. Has had a poor start this campaign and hasn’t won or placed in six outings to this track. Others look better.

3. Farooq

This Frankel gelding has nine wins from 30 starts. Draws to do no work and can be in the finish.

4. Black Sail

Won by 2.7 lengths over 1600m at Morphettville last outing and has won two from three here. One of the main chances.

5. Royal Mile

This four-year-old Danerich gelding has six wins and four places from 14 starts. He resumed for 0.4 length 2nd in a driving finish over 1400m at Morphettville Parks. Goes well here and will be hard to beat.

6. Ecumenical

One of two runners for Mick Huxtable, she is the only mare in the race. She has had three wins at this track and is in with a chance.

7. One More Jack

Won the Murray Bridge race last start ahead of Magnetic Edge and Ritratto. Goes well at Morphettville and is in the mix.

8. Ritratto

One of the Mick Huxtable runners and ran 2nd in this race last year. Was 3rd behind One More Jack at Murray Bridge last start. Not the worst.

9. Magnetic Edge

Finished 0.4 length 2nd behind One More Jack last start. Rough chance.

10. Splash Some Cash

Won the Kangaroo Island Cup over 1880m on 19 February, then the Port Lincoln Cup over 1960m on 4 March. Coming back in distance but can’t rule out.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
5 Royal Mile
4 Black Sail
3 Farooq
1 Secret Blaze

Group 2 Adelaide Cup 2022 (Morphettville 3200m)

Listed Cinderella Stakes 2022 (Morphettville 1050m)

Listed Canberra Cup 2022 (Canberra 2000m)

Listed Canberra Guineas 2022 (Canberra 1400m)