3 minute read

A gear change has helped talented colt Hilal return to the winner’s list at Randwick.

Hawkes Racing colt Hilal has found his best form to upset short-priced favourite Coastwatch in the Stan Fox Stakes at Randwick. 

Group 1 placed in the Sires' Produce and Champagne Stakes as a juvenile, the three-year-old has mixed his form in three runs this campaign, placing two starts ago in Listed grade in Melbourne before finishing down the track in the Golden Rose. 

Ridden quietly by Tommy Berry on Saturday, Hilal ($8) steamed home from the back to claim the 1500 metre race by a half-length over favourite Coastwatch ($2.10 fav), who tried hard but couldn't match the winner's finishing sprint. 

Co-trainer John Hawkes was pleased to see Hilal return to form and said they would weigh up their options before determining where he would head. 

"Hilal's always been a promising colt," Hawkes said. 

"We'll see how he pulls up before we get too carried away. 

"But he has bounced back today, so we will have a look and see what is coming up that might suit the colt." 

The stable has been experimenting with different gear on Hilal and Berry felt the addition of winkers on Saturday made a difference. 

He said the colt's Golden Rose flop was too bad to be true and the fact the Hawkes team persisted with the horse filled him with confidence. 

"He's always had that ability. I'm not sure what happened last start, he's a better horse than that," Berry said. 

"I knew he'd come here and run well because for the Hawkes Team to keep him in and persist with him, he's obviously done really well earlier in the week. 

"That was what we wanted to see from him today." 

Godolphin's Brigantine ($6.60) finished third, another 1-1/2 lengths behind Coastwatch.