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Haky ready to step up in Pakenham Cup

3 minute read

Archie Alexander is not one to get over confident when discussing his horses but knows if Haky was to show his true colours then he will be a serious contender in the $300,000 Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on Saturday.

But which Haky  will turn up on Saturday is anyone's guess, although Alexander is adamant the stayer is in good form and ready to run a solid race. 

HAKY winning the William Newton VC Handicap in Flemington, Australia.
HAKY winning the William Newton VC Handicap in Flemington, Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

Haky arrived in Australia during the 2019 spring and had four quick runs, three ahead of the Melbourne Cup before contesting the Sandown Cup. 

The stayer's best-placed finish was third in the Geelong Cup, behind Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran, before two more uneventful starts. 

Transferred from John Hammond to Alexander, Haky had a three-run autumn campaign that culminated in a 2600m victory at Flemington before the gelding commenced his spring campaign in August. 

The campaign has been a mixed bag with a number of nearer to last placings than those up at the front end of the field, although two starts ago he did finish third behind Princess Jenni in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) in last October. 

At his most recent effort Haky finished ninth to True Self in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup week. 

Trainer: ARCHIE ALEXANDER
Trainer: ARCHIE ALEXANDER  Picture: Racing and Sports

"I think on his ability, at his best, he's good enough to be winning a Pakenham Cup," Alexander said. 

"He's a very hard horse to get right. He gets very strong if you rev him up and if you get into pocket and he has to sprint, he can't sprint. 

"He just needs everything to go his way. 

"The only time we saw things really go his way was when we saw him win at Flemington when he needs to be rolling from the 800 (metre mark). 

"He's in really good form (at home) and we've freshened him up a bit. 

"At his best he's good enough to win but he needs a lot of luck." 

Melbourne's leading metropolitan rider for the season Jamie Kah again has the ride on Saturday having ridden the stayer at his past two starts. 

Haki is part-owned by OTI Racing which is also represented by the $4.80 co-favourite Attorney who shares top billing with Princess Jenni. 

The David Brideoake-trained Princess Jenni  has firmed from $6 to $4.80 since the final field was announced on Wednesday with Attorney drifting from $3.90. 

In an open race,Creedence  and Knights Order  share the next line of betting at $5 while Haky is a $17 chance. 


Racing and Sports

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