A Saturday metro three-year-old victory in late September is handy in any instance but Ben Hayes has aspirations for a blue riband classic start for Ndola after a confidence boosting win at Sandown.
Though main contenders Daggers and Detroit City were scratchings after starting at Moonee Valley the night before, Hayes said that this is just what the colt needed to do before making the leap towards the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 12.
Ndola ($2.80) took out the Evergreen Turf Handicap (1400m) over race favourite Sugar Coat ($1.85) by a one-length margin with the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Vianarra ($11) in third.
“He got into a bumping duel around the bend but he found the line nicely,” Hayes said.
“He was strong through the 1400-metres so it was a big thrill to see him run well over the distance after a set-back.”By star sire Justify, Ndola notched his third win in eight starts after getting too far back in the Listed Posiedon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington a fortnight earlier.
Having ticked the box now at the longer trip, the Lindsay Park training trio are looking to the Guineas as an ultimate aim where the colt is rated a $26 chance across markets with betting sites.
“Ideally we would like to have run in the Exford Plate (1400m) at Flemington but with the work we had to do with him we thought we’d let him run down the straight and see how he pulled up.
“So we headed here and I think he has put his hand up – if he pulls up well – we’ll seriously consider heading to the Caulfield Guineas.
“He’s a lovey, big, strong, powerful horse and he has more to come.
“We’re realistic on the run and field today but this was a confidence builder.”