Jet Away’s spring preparation hasn’t been ideal but David Hayes got some good news on Wednesday with the Caulfield Cup hopeful making the Turnbull Stakes field.
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Jet Away had looked like missing out on a start in Saturday’s Group One Turnbull (2000m) at Flemington when he was 22nd in the ballot order but he snuck into the 16-horse field.
A one-time Caulfield Cup favourite, Jet Away is unbeaten in his two starts in Australia but had a setback leading into the Underwood Stakes when mucus was found in his throat.
The seven-year-old goes into the Turnbull first-up with the plan to progress to the Caulfield Cup second-up.
And Hayes believes the import can still be a major Caulfield Cup player.
“We’ll see that on Saturday hopefully,” Hayes said.
Jet Away won the Golden Mile at Bendigo in his Australian debut in March before claiming the Group Three Easter Cup at Caulfield.
He opened a $21 chance for the Turnbull on Wednesday and Hayes expects him to improve on whatever he does ahead of the Caulfield Cup.
“I think it will bring him right on. He’s had an Americain-style preparation,” the trainer said.
“He (Americain) ran first-up in the Australian Cup (in 2012) and just got beaten and then probably should have won second-up in The BMW when he got caught wide.
“He (Jet Away) has had a European preparation and never been out of work, so he’ll be more forward than some people might think.”
Hayes has booked Daniel Moor to ride Jet Away after Dwayne Dunn got off to ride Happy Trails.
Hayes said stable rider Chad Schofield was due to ride Mourayan for owner Lloyd Williams and trainer Robert Hickmott but Fawkner was the only Williams-owned runner from six nominations to accept for the Turnbull.
“It’s a bit unfortunate Chad Schofield missed out on it,” Hayes said of the Jet Away ride.
“It’s fortunate for Daniel Moor. He’s been kind enough to be riding a bit of work so it’s a surprise reward for him.”
Fawkner will be out to become the fourth Williams-owned horse in five years to win the Turnbull.
Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance De Lune, who has barrier one, opened favourite with TAB fixed odds at $3.90 but Fiorente quickly firmed from $5.50 to be joint favourite at $4.20.
Chris Waller’s Cups hopes Royal Descent and Hawkspur had contrasting fortunes in the Turnbull barrier draw.
Royal Descent, with Craig Newitt to ride, has barrier four while Hawkspur (Michael Walker) has gate 19 and will start from 15 should the four emergencies not gain a start.
