THE renowned Hayes stable is used to winning races but it's been tougher to salute at the TAB Warrnambool May Racing Carnival.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the father-and-son team of David and Ben Hayes broke a drought at The Bool stretching back to 2008 when Jamie Kah rode Splendorinthegrass home in a 1200m handicap for two-year-olds on Thursday.
Ben said he was rapt with the win over the Patrick Payne-trained Rubisaki and Three Legs In, which was running for the Ciaron Maher-David Eustace stable.
"We haven't had many runners here but we were unlucky last year with a couple of seconds so it's a bit of a relief to get a winner, I must say," he said.
"We used to train another filly as well and she had a problem with her heart and she showed a lot at home and this is the next generation.
MORE RACING:
"She has a good future going forward, these races are quite strong, people tend to set horses for this race.
"It's fantastic just to get the win, everyone is thrilled and they all backed her so they can have a big night I think."
Ben praised Kah for her ride on Splendorinthegrass.
"She would've been unlucky if she didn't win," he said.
"She was held up and she timed it perfect, got her head down on the line and it was a great win by her in the end.
"She had a bit of bad luck today and got through the gaps and ran really well."
Kah said Splendorinthegrass "did everything right".
"We didn't have a lot of room so I had to switch back to the inside and she stop-started a few times too and she's done a really big job to get up," she said.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.