Hayes-trained duo to face off at Geelong

Tuesday 13 August 2013, 4:38pm

A change in venue for Victoria's midweek metropolitan meeting has prompted a change in thinking for David Hayes with Caulfield Guineas hopeful Churchill Dancer.

The stakes-placed Churchill Dancer will take his place alongside stablemate I Am Titanium in Wednesday's GRC Functions and Event Centre Handicap (1200m) on the Geelong Synthetic track, with both on trial early in the spring for a potential Caulfield Guineas start.

"I didn't intend to run Churchill Dancer, he's going in without a trial, but with it being on the Pro-ride I decided he can go there and go into it fresh," Hayes said.

"It's equivalent to running on good ground and with a small field it might only be a sit-and-sprint race."

He said he would not have started the gelding's campaign on Wednesday if the races had remained at Sandown where the ground would have been heavy.

Racing Victoria switched the meeting from Sandown to the Geelong Synthetic late last week because of wet weather.

Hayes will be guided by Churchill Dancer's performances to see whether he can measure up to a Caulfield Guineas start.

Churchill Dancer raced five times last season, winning the $180,000 Vobis Gold Ingot Stakes (1200m) at Flemington and being placed in Listed company.

"He was pretty consistent last preparation. He had a nice spell and I'll probably space his races a bit and hopefully he can head towards the Guineas," Hayes said.

"If he is just off them then he can go towards the Carbine Club and Sandown Guineas."

I Am Titanium, meanwhile, is out to break through for a first win on Wednesday and Hayes says the colt is more forward than his stablemate.

He hasn't started since finishing near the tail of the field in the Group One Blue Diamond (1200m) in February.

"I Am Titanium is a very promising horse and hopefully he's headed towards the Guineas," Hayes said.

"I think he's well suited at 1200 metres. He'll sit on the pace and has the benefit of a trial.

"He could easily win first-up."

On Saturday at Caulfield, Fast `n' Rocking kicks off his Caulfield Guineas campaign in the Vain Stakes (1100m).

Hayes said Brett Prebble would take the ride on the Blue Diamond runner-up.

"His work has been excellent. I'm expecting him to run really well," Hayes said.

– AAP

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