Group One plans for Leebaz seem certain to be put on hold despite the four-year-old’s determined win in the $150,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup on Saturday.
Leebaz is favourite to win the Group One Doomben Cup later this month but trainer John Hawkes says he is inclined to send the promising galloper for a well-earned rest.
“I think he is potentially a Group One horse in the spring and the autumn (next year) and we’ve been really, really patient until now,” Hawkes said.
“He’ll most probably go to the paddock I would think but we’ll see how he pulls up. It’s all about the horse.”
Leebaz is bred on staying lines. The son of Zabeel is a half-brother to Polish Knight, an ATC Australian Derby placegetter for the Hawkes Racing team.
The fact Leebaz has yet to be tried beyond the 1600m of Saturday’s race augurs well for Hawkes’ plans for next season.
The odds-on favourite, Leebaz camped just off the leaders for James McDonald before he was committed to a three-wide run to avoid being pocketed between horses in the middle stages.
Leebaz joined in quickly at the 400m but he had to keep finding a length to make it six wins from nine starts and his third of an autumn campaign that started with a benchmark-class win at Randwick in February.
Darley mare Wistful ran on from midfield to take second with Keep Cool, first-up for Joe Pride, taking the minor placing.