JD Hayes expressed contentment with Loft, a former Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful, after the horse secured third place in a 1000-metre trial at Geelong yesterday.
Loft is currently recovering from a tendon injury suffered just days before his anticipated Australian debut in the 2022 Melbourne Cup.
Under the care of Lee Evison during rehabilitation, Loft is gearing up for a return, targeting April's Sydney Cup (3200m), with the Melbourne Cup remaining a long-term objective.
JD Hayes conveyed his satisfaction, stating, “I was really happy with that.
“He showed enough speed for a horse that the minimum distance that he won over before is 2800 [metres], so he's very much just building in the right direction.
“He was clean in the wind, and he didn't look like he wanted to stop past the line either. So, he got a big pass mark.
“We'll give him a couple of runs well short of his distance to make sure he is rock-hard fit, and then hopefully, he will end up in the Sydney Cup.
“The main goal with him is still the Melbourne Cup; that was what he was bought for, so this is very much preparing him for that.”
Loft is a +5000 chance in the Sydney Cup futures market with top horse racing betting sites.