Lindsay Park Racing is optimistic about the upcoming autumn campaign of their Justify colt Ndola, who is set to begin in Saturday’s Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.
The three-year-old was initially slated for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last October but didn’t make it to the prestigious Group 1 event.
Trainers Ben, Will, and JD Hayes are hopeful that Ndola can make up for that absence by aiming for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1.
A three-time winner from five starts, Ndola prepped for Saturday’s Group 3 race with a jump-out at Werribee on Friday, where he finished strongly in second over 800 metres.
“That was his first jump-out for the prep, he’s a very naturally fit horse, very happy with him through the line,” Ben Hayes told Racing.com.
“Looking forward to him getting to the track, he’s a horse that we have a high opinion of.
“Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get to the race (Caulfield Guineas) but we backed off and we’ve given him a good break and he’s filled out into his big frame and he’ll hopefully be on an Australian Guineas path.
“If he pulls up well, we’ll probably kick him off in the Manfred.”
Ndola is currently a $7 hope for the Manfred Stakes with horse racing bookmakers.
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