Moir Hill to climb for impressive Oak

Team Hayes excited for higher goals for recent stable recruit

The Lindsay Park training team's good success rate with horses transferred to them from the late Mike Moroney's care has continued with emerging talent Oak Hill launching a Moir Stakes bid with a return victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Ridden by Blake Shinn, Oak Hill ($2.70) made a late dash in the straight to claim early leader Midwest ($5) by a 1½-length margin with Goulburn visitor Boston Rocks ($5) a head away in third in the Ladbrokes Top 2/3/4 Betting Handicap (1000m). 

A next outing over the same course and distance in a fortnight in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) awaits the son of US sire Per Incanto before the Group 1 Moir Stakes also at The Valley on September 6.

"We're very lucky that he arrived to us in great order and he has not done much wrong since," Ben Hayes said.

"What I loved today is that he relaxed beautifully as there was a nice genuine speed on and the way he rounded them up was really exciting.

"I think the key with this horse as a young horse, he used to overrace a bit but he is starting to relax and he did that today to finish strong in a more than competitive field.

"We could not be happier."

Oak Hill is rated an $11 chance for the Moir Stakes with the Grahame Begg-trained Niance the $4 favourite.

The five-year-old gelding's affinity with the track stretched his record to four wins and a placing in five starts at the soon-to-be demolished circuit.

After challenging on the home turn, last year's Moir Stakes winner Mornington Glory ($3.20) tailed off last in his return run this time in.

The Hayes trainign trio will have to find a replacement jockey for Oak Hill in the Carlyon Stakes after Shinn was suspended for nine meetings for carelss riding aboard Cavalry Girl two races later.

Shinn will commence his time off on August 17 - after the P.B. Lawrence Stakes meeting at Caulfield - and return after the Moonee Valley meeting on August 23.