MELBOURNE - David Hayes added to his list of Magic Millions contenders at Sandown with the brilliant debut win of Press The Button in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes.
Hayes said Press The Button was as good as any two-year-old he had started this season and would nowjoin Maribyrnong Plate winner Husson Lightning and Arrow Stakes winner Cinq Rouge in the A$1 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 13.
"I've had a bit of a rap on her [Press The Button] for quite a while," Hayes said.
"She's as good as anything I've run in two-year-old races so far."
Press The Button gave jockey Glen Boss a difficult ride in the early stages of Saturday's race, beginning awkwardly and nearly ripping his foot out of the iron.
By the time Boss had adjusted his footing, Press The Button had only a couple of horses behind her and even at the 200m he gave her no chance of winning.
"She wasn't going to win at the furlong [200m] but at the 100 metres she was going to win easily," Boss said.
Maribyrnong Plate placegetter Meurice looked to have the race won when Darren Gauci dashed him clear at the 200m but after tracking six-deep on the home turn he had little left and was unable to answer the challenge from Press The Button, who scored by three-quarters of a length.
Gamble Me finished two lengths away third while Press The Button's stablemate Cecconi turned in an eye-catching performance, running on from last for fourth.
Hayes said Press The Button always indicated she would be better suited over more ground and he wasn't surprised her last 50m was the best part of her race.
"She has great bone and it looks likes 1200 metres will suit her better," Hayes said.
Her next start would be in the Listed Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on December 23.
"We will look at the Canonbury in Sydney on the way to the Gold Coast and see that she is racing well on that leg."
