Sea King’s path to the Hawkesbury Gold Cup emerged unexpectedly, with trainer Matthew Dunn regarding it as an essential phase in the gelding’s tendon injury recovery.
Having secured the 2024 Bendigo Cup, the gelding faltered after a midfield placing on debut for Dunn in that season’s Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick, resulting in 15 months off the track.
His third race back arrives this Saturday, a week behind schedule following a scratch at Brisbane last weekend amid heavy ground.
The Hawkesbury Gold Cup at 1600m is not Sea King’s favoured trip length, but Dunn seeks a strong run to target longer events subsequently.
“He’s still very competitive on the track and keen to do his work,” Dunn said.
“The horse is still there, it’s just a matter of being nice and patient. I’m lucky I’ve got a great bunch of owners that are happy to roll with me.
“Ideally, we wouldn’t be going all the way to Sydney for a race that is short of his right trip, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.
“There isn’t going to be much on for him here (in Queensland). We’ve had a lot of wet weather and we’re trying to find the right track surface to build his foundation and get him back to where he needs to be.”
Barrier one falls to Sam Clipperton aboard Sea King, after which Dunn eyes a Queensland trip for the Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) on May 16 at Doomben, or even a seven-day pivot to the Gosford Gold Cup (2100m).
A return to top condition could open doors to the Brisbane Cup (3200m) in the longer view.
“He will probably come home after Saturday. If not, he could stay down for the Gosford Cup. We’ll see how he goes Saturday, how he comes through it, and work it out,” Dunn said.
“But probably the Chairman’s will be his next run over 2000 metres. There’s also the Hollindale Stakes, but it’s a weight-for-age race and his rating isn’t that high anymore.”
On Saturday’s exclusive program with four stakes features, the $250,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) fills to capacity 16, spearheaded by Vivy Air from the Coolmore Classic placings and dependable Victorian Taken for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
Punters can check betting sites for the keenest racing odds on the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.
