Blinkers return for Plymouth in 2026 Caulfield clash

The team at Lindsay Park faced various decisions regarding Plymouth this week, however, the intention to hold him steady at 2000 metres guides him to Caulfield.

The four-year-old son of The Autumn Sun featured entries for Thursday’s 2350m Warrnambool Cup and acceptance in Saturday’s 2100m Gosford Gold Cup, but he is set to appear in Caulfield’s Lamaro’s Ater The Last, a benchmark 100 race worth $150,000.

Plymouth lacks a win from five 2000m efforts, but achieved second in the Albury Cup and third place at Flemington around his failure in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m), while Ben Hayes holds firm that 2000m is ideal alongside one crucial change in gear.

For the gelding, blinkers come back on since runner-up spot in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) last spring.

“His last run was good, we just thought he maybe presented a bit early in the straight. He got rolling early and peaked on his run a bit,” Hayes said.

“Now he’s had that good run at 2000, we’ll keep him at 2000 and put blinkers on.

“He’s been knocking on the door. He’s building to another win.”

This campaign sees Plymouth without a victory in five starts, following his win in the Benalla Cup (2100m) ahead of the Herbert Power Stakes, and Hayes views the Saturday race as a potential path to continue racing out of state.

“If he runs well we’ll consider going up to Brisbane with him,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Will and JD, said.

“There are all those races up there that we can head towards, but he needs to run well. If not, we’ll put him away and get him ready for the spring.”

Plymouth starts from gate seven at Caulfield, improving to six post the withdrawal of Sayedaty Sadaty, with Jamie Mott, in good form, aboard for his debut ride.

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