Trainer David Hayes ramps up his attack on the spring carnival at Flemington this Saturday and among his troops is talented three year-old Honey Steel’s Gold.

Fresh from his G3 McNeil Stakes victory with boom colt Fast ‘n’ Rocking at Caulfield last Saturday, Hayes has Honey Steel’s Gold resuming after a brief let-up in the LR Henry Bucks Stakes (1400m).

Honey Steel’s Gold (3g Keep The Faith – Lunar Lights by Bianconi) went for a break after a resounding victory in the LR Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) at headquarters on July 6.  “He’s a nice horse on the way up,” Hayes said from his Lindsay Park base at Euroa.  “All going well after Flemington, he’s likely to run in a Super VOBIS race over 1700m at Caulfield.”

Connections will then decide whether to pursue a G1 Victoria Derby campaign for the son of Greta West Stud stallion Keep The Faith.  He is also nominated for the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on October 12.

Honey Steel’s Gold is named after an album recorded by Australian songwriter Ed Kuepper in the 1990s.  He is a homebred for John and Michelle Valmorbida and is the first foal of staying mare Lunar Lights.

The Valmorbida-owned horses race in brown and white circle silks.  Michelle’s parents Vic and Lila Peters raced Taj Rossi in the same colours to win the 1973 Victoria Derby.

Honey Steel’s Gold can continue Keep The Faith’s successful start to the new season.  He jumped the gun averaging a new winner every second day in August and is third behind Bel Esprit and Elvstroem on the Victorian winners’ premiership.

Keep The Faith (Sunday Silence) stands for a $4,400 (inc gst) service fee at Greta West Stud alongside God’s Own (Redoute’s Choice) and King Of Prussia (Anabaa).

– Karl Patterson