IT MIGHT have been only a midweek meeting on a very heavy track at Sandown yesterday but several winners look set to graduate to better class races over the spring, reports The Age.It says: Two of those, Legalistic and Maraaseem, were the first two legs of a treble for trainer David Hayes and although the pair must keep improving, they are on a path towards the Caulfield Guineas and Thousand Guineas respectively.Maraaseem is by Redoute's Choice from Geelong Oaks Trial winner Warm Smytzer and cos

IT MIGHT have been only a midweek meeting on a very heavy track at Sandown yesterday but several winners look set to graduate to better class races over the spring, reports The Age.

It says: Two of those, Legalistic and Maraaseem, were the first two legs of a treble for trainer David Hayes and although the pair must keep improving, they are on a path towards the Caulfield Guineas and Thousand Guineas respectively.

Maraaseem is by Redoute's Choice from Geelong Oaks Trial winner Warm Smytzer and cost $400,000 as a yearling. The filly settled midfield before running on strongly over the final 200 metres to win by a length from Our Pride And Joy.

Hayes's assistant trainer, Tom Dabernig, said Maraaseem was a versatile filly who handled all track conditions and was improving with every run.

''She's got a great constitution and great temperament, eats well and is lovely and sound so hopefully we can keep raising the bar with her,'' he said.

While Maraaseem came from back in the field, Legalistic led all the way and showed great determination to fight off a challenge from the runner-up, Territory, in the straight. Territory ($4.20) got on terms inside the 150 metres but Legalistic ($3.60) kicked back strongly and was starting to draw away again on the line to win by a long neck.

Legalistic had been competitive in both the Blue Diamond Stakes and AJC Sires Produce Stakes last season but Dabernig said the stable hopes that a gelding operation at the end of his last campaign will translate into more consistent performances.

''He's been gelded and I think that will be the key to him as he was very colty last campaign,'' Dabernig said.

The third of Hayes's winners was promising stayer Token Of Honour ($3.60 favourite), a first acceptor in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.