3 minute read
White Hawk zoomed into Ladbrokes Hobart Cup calculations with a heroic effort to win the $75,000 weight-for-age Tasmanian Bloodstock Summer Cup over 2200 metres in Hobart on Sunday.
In Brief
- Much improved stayer zooms into Ladrokes Hobart Cup calculations.
- Replacement rider Byrne Burke delivers for Brakey.
- Minor placegetters are ready to shine in Hobart Cup.
The gelding won the race last year and after Sunday's win, his trainer Angela Brakey exclaimed the horse needed to "be ridden ugly" to get the best result.
White Hawk ($12) was never better than three-wide the trip, but the gelded son of Tough Speed relished what most would consider a bad ride to forge clear on the home turn and go on and defeat last year's Launceston Cup winner Glass Warrior ($5.50 equal fav) by over three lengths with Full Knots Ahead ($8) third and just in advance of Sh'bourne Renegade ($12).
"To get the best from this horse he has to be kept wide and without cover, he can't be smothered up and basically he has to be ridden ugly to win," Brakey said.
"We've finally worked it out that with cover he can't build (speed) as he has such a massive stride.
"I fully expect him to get better this preparation, so we go to the Hobart and Launceston cups with a bit more confidence."
White Hawk won the Ladbrokes Devonport Cup earlier this month with Mehmet Ulucinar aboard but he was replaced at the last minute on Sunday after suffering a hand injury in the race prior to the Summer Cup, but his replacement, apprentice Erica Byrne Burke, carried Brakey's instructions out to a tee.
Glass Warrior ran on gamely to suggest she will reach her peak in the Hobart Cup and Full Knots Ahead was extremely game after rushing forward early to assume a position just off the speed.
But the Siggy Carr-trained and ridden mare kept finding in the home straight to just hold out the Bill Ryan-trained Sh'bourne Renegade that was doing his best work at the business end of the race.
Sh'bourne Renegade was to be ridden by Jason Maskiell, but he had a fall after the line in race four but was well enough to steer the Adam Trinder-trained Bello Beau to victory in the $100,000 2YO Elwick Stakes.
However, he was forced to forego his rides on Deroche in the Lady Lynette and Sh'bourne Renegade.
The other good run in the race belonged to former triple cups winner Eastender who worked home late to run sixth and signal to his trainer Barry Campbell that he will be a major player in both major cups.
Creative Hero had his chances ruined when he was stood on his ear nearing the home turn when making his run in the inside of runners nearing the entrance to the straight.
The Ladbrokes Hobart Cup will be run on 13 February over 2400 metres with the barrier draw to take place at the Tasmanian Racing Club at Elwick at 11am on Wednesday 9 February.
