One of three feature races at Hawkesbury’s stand-alone Saturday meeting this weekend is the Hawkesbury Gold Cup. Dominating the market is Team Hawke’s Leebaz at $1.75. Given his last start second to Weary, it’s hard to argue with. Only two of the remaining ten runners, Wistful and Malavio, are given a chance of causing an upset according to the market which has posted the pair at $6.50.
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1. MOURO – T Clark (2) 59kgs
Tony McEvoy’s produced his galloper to win the G3 Tab Rewards in good style first up at Flemington before heading north and contesting the G2 Ajax Stakes (1500m). From the inside he settled in a handy spot but under 58kgs, couldn’t spring with the likes of Messene and Weary, who quinelled the race, and finished seventh (5.2 lengths). He then didn’t appreciate the heavy track at his next most recent start when finished a well beaten eighteenth in the Doncaster Handicap. Gives the rest of the field weight but returning to this level, where his record is very strong, is in his favour.
2. MALAVIO – B Avdulla (11)
The 5yo Snitzel from Steve Englebrecht’s yard is going well. Settled further back than anticipated from a good draw in the Ajax Stakes (1500m) but finished well to secure third behind in-form pair Messene and Weary before, under 58kgs and racing wide in transit, chasing Weary home in the Doncaster Prelude (1500m) when fourth (4.4 lengths). Held is ground well three weeks ago in the Doncaster Handicap to finish eighth He ran fourth in this race in 2012 as the 15/4 carrying 55kgs and coming from gate 10. Carries 56kgs and jumps from 11 this year but for mine, form reads stronger and definite place chance.
3. FULL OF SPIRIT – L Meech (6) 54kgs
New Zealand mare who had her first start for the Peter Moody stable in last fortnight’s G2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) when returning from an eighteen week spell. A clear last at the 600m, the Flying Spur mare caught the eye late in a race dominated by the leaders. Can only be better for that hit-out and has second up last prep finished within five lengths of Kiwi stars Xanadu and King Mufhasa in G1 race over a mile in New Zealand.
4. LEEBAZ – J McDonald (9)
The Zabeel 4yo made it two from two this prep with a commanding win in a BM 85 (1600m) at Warwick Farm just over a month ago, leading all the way to defeat subsequent Albury Cup winner Canny Ballad by 1.3 lengths. He then again led but was reeled in late by Weary, who went on to run fourth in G1 Doncaster and second in last week’s All Aged Stakes, when second (3/4 length) in the G3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m). Form is solid and he’ll take up the running which is an advantage at Hawkesbury more often than not. He’ll take plenty of running down.
5. KEEP COOL – C Reith (5)
Formerly with Victorian trainer Danny O’Brien, the 7yo gelding will be stepping out for the first time for new trainer Joe Pride. Disappointed running second to last first up from a spell back at the end of March and has is only visit to the track since in an official capacity, was when he finished second in a Warwick Farm Barrier trial earlier this week. Been over a year and dozen starts since his last win and would think he’ll need this run and further.
6. WISTFUL – K McEvoy (1)
Had no luck at all three starts back in the G3 Cameron Handicap when second up from a spell, finishing tenth (2.4 lengths) behind Mecir. The Tiger Hill mare was then specked from 20/1 to 14/1 in the G2 Emancipation Stakes but in a muddling run race on a heavy track, she finished second to last and five lengths from winner, Catkins. On a drier surface and weaker grade, she produced a much better effort to run second (3/4 length) to good performer Destiny’s Kiss in a BM 95. Capable on her day and should get a sneaky run from the inside draw but still yet to prove herself at this level.
7. THE GREAT SNOWMAN – J Cassidy (8)
The 5yo gelding put together a strong campaign last spring and graduated from Benchmark class to Open company, running third in the G3 JRA Cup (2000m) at Moonee Valley. The Gai Waterhouse trained galloper has had two starts back from a spell this time in with the latest coming last week when sixth (3 lengths) behind Destiny’s Kiss and Wistful. Will roll forward now third up over a mile and any cut out of the track should be seen as an advantage.
8. COURT CONNECTION – (4)
Goulburn trainer Kurt Goldman has had this 7yo for two starts, the latest of which was a handy third (2.1 lengths) behind Monton and Lunayir in a BM 95 (1600m) at Randwick. That was only his second run back from a six month spell but it was also ten weeks ago now. Coming into a race such as this off a break of that length, when his best performances are over 2000m, makes him hard to have with any confidence.
9. FLYING BAY – G Schofield (10)
Returned to race after a year’s break for trainer Guy Walter with a very promising fourth in BM 75 (1200m) at Canterbury three starts ago and the daughter of Snitzel has continued to improve since. Carrying 59kgs, she was out-bobbed on the line second up by Engagement over 1300m but got the right call in another tight finish at her most recent start, when defeating I’m In The Money in a BM 80 over 1400m just over a fortnight ago. Racing well and drops in weight but rightly so as she takes a big step up here in class. From a poor draw that should see her get back in the run, she’ll have to produce a career best to run some of her rivals down.
10. IGGI POP – J Collett (3)
The son of Savabeel has had two starts back from a spell for Warwick Farm trainer John Sargent. The first was on an unsuitable heavy surface over a mile with the most recent seeing him finish second to last but only 2.6 lengths away from Senta Desert in a BM 85 (1800m). He sat second in the run but was dour in the run home. Third up over a mile will suit and he should secure a lovely run just off the pace here behind Leebaz and The Great Snowman. Only if he struck a track rated dead or better, would be rated a place chance at odds.
11. STAR WARS – K O’Hara (7)
Well bred Starcraft colt that isn’t quite living up to his bloodlines so far in his career with only the one win from fourteen starts. He ran second in a Kembla Grange Class 2 before contesting the G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) where, as expected being rated a 100/1 chance, he finished a distant last. Would not think he’ll find this race any easier.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Hard to make a case against Leebaz here. He should lead, start to roll as they leave the 800m and on a track that often lends itself to leaders, will prove very hard to run down. Malavio has been going very well and although drawn poorly, would like to see him take up a forward spot if possible and keep Leebaz in his sights. Looking for some value for the exotics, Full Of Spirit can ran a good race here at $19.00. She was only warming up late first up and any cut out of the track will be to her advantage.
- LEEBAZ
- MALAVIO
- FULL OF SPIRIT
