3 minute read
A snapshot of Hawkesbury
Godolphin filly shows carnival class
Assistant trainer Darren Beadman believes unbeaten filly Zardozi ($2.60 fav) has the ability to develop into a carnival horse for Godolphin, particularly once she steps out in distance.
The two-year-old made it three wins from as many starts with a comfortable half-length decision over Californian ($3.50) in the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) at Hawkesbury on Saturday and Beadman said there was more improvement to come.
"Her attitude, the way she just falls asleep in her races and quickens up nice in the straight is going to serve her when she does get over a bit more of a trip," Beadman said.
"I guess she'll tell us whether she goes to Brisbane or not, but I think she'll be a pretty strong candidate in the spring carnival over a trip."
Chad Schofield has ridden Zardozi in all three wins and says she has improved each time.
"She's the ultimate professional, she is absolutely push-button to ride," Schofield said.
"What I liked is when she felt a bit of pressure from that second horse late, she actually went again.
"She's improving quickly and it will be interesting to see how far she can go."
Dale sets sights on Scone with Penthouse
Trainer Matthew Dale was forced to relay riding instructions over the telephone after being stuck in traffic, but he got the message across with apprentice Hannah Williams guiding Penthouse to a solid first-up win at Hawkesbury.
Dale wanted to make sure Williams kept the filly away from the fence in the Highway Handicap (1100m) after the first two horses across the line in the opening race made their runs down the centre of the track.
"I was running late in traffic and I rang ahead and got the instructions slightly changed to not go near the fence," Dale said.
"I didn't want any variables and Hannah did a great job of controlling the tempo but staying in the centre of the track. She is riding above her years Hannah, great job."
Dale said the Hawkesbury race had been a long-term target for Penthouse first-up, but her main goal was next start in the Listed Denise's Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone on May 13.
"She ran third to In Secret last year in the two-year-old version and we'll head back there in three weeks," Dale said.
The victory kick-started a momentous day for Williams, who celebrated a metropolitan double two races later aboard Delacour for Norm Gardner.
Stakes target for Midway winner
Top apprentice Zac Lloyd had a tough start to the day at Hawkesbury when his mount Sweet Mercy was disqualified from her third placing in the Midway Handicap (1100m) after weighing in light.
His miscalculation occurred when he switched from his heavy to light riding boots for the second race then later became caught up in the stewards' room and forgot to put his heavy boots back on for his mount on the David Payne-trained Sweet Mercy in the third event.
Lloyd was apologetic and took full responsibility, offering to pay Sweet Mercy's connections the $11,250 third prizemoney cheque out of his own money.
The race was won by the progressive Moonlight Grace, who was scratched from a Listed race at Doomben in preference for Hawkesbury.
Her trainer Allan Kehoe is convinced the three-year-old is superior to Midway grade and is keen to give her an opportunity to raise the bar next start in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 6.
"I reckon she is the real deal," Kehoe said.
"I'm thinking I will take her up to the Gold Coast Guineas. She only got beaten a length by Aft Cabin when she got knocked on her butt.
"I'm not saying she is up to him, but she put the older girls away today so I'd nearly reckon a race like the Gold Coast Guineas would suit her, especially run at the 'Sunny' (Sunshine) Coast."
Moonlight Grace ($8.50) ran down leader Abuela ($21) to score by a length with Rita May ($13) elevated to third with the disqualification of Sweet Mercy ($8).
Malkovich goes one better in Gold Rush
It has been a big week for the newly minted geldings in the Bjorn Baker yard.
A week after Overpass captured the $4 million The Quokka at his first start since being cut, stablemate Malkovich has repeated the dose, atoning for his narrow second to Tycoonist in the Listed Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m) last year to go one better on Saturday.
He too was having his first run as a gelding as Baker felt the five-year-old was getting too heavy.
"It wasn't so much a temperament thing, he just got too big and strong," Baker said.
"He has definitely come back a little bit lighter and more athletic.
"It's always hard coming to these races first-up and being confident.
"It was a really good ride, Josh (Parr) just got beaten (on Malkovich) in this race last year on a heavy track and I thought he definitely had more things in his favour today with a better track.
"It's great to see him get another stakes victory."
Malkovich ($4.20) controlled the speed throughout and kicked strongly to deny A Very Fine Red ($6) by a half-length with Andermatt ($3.70 fav) an honest third.
Quote of the day: ""The manner in which he did it, he was able to put them away in a number of strides, I think that was the most impressive part." – Co-trainer Adrian Bott after Hawaii Five Oh's dominant victory in the Hawkesbury Guineas.
