2013 Futurity Stakes result - All Too Hard easily
Top colt All Too Hard is likely to attack his own age in Saturday week's Australian Guineas in top form after crushing the older horses in the Group I Futurity Stakes (1400m).
Hawkes Racing will assess All Too Hard in the next 48 hours but co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said the three-year-old is almost certain to have a shot at adding the Australian Guineasto his Caulfield Guineas crown.
"It does look an obvious option and we'll be 99 percent sure of running but obviously you are going to wait and see how he licks the bin and how he is in the next 48 hours," Hawkes, who trains All Too Hard with his father John and brother Michael, said.
"If there's any doubt we won't (run)."
All Too Hard gave his connections few concerns during the Futurity Stakes. The son of Casino Prince jumped well, which enabled jockey Dwayne Dunn to find a position just off what turned out to be a smart speed set by Glass Harmonium.
Dunn waited until the 500 metres to ask All Too Hard to work into the race. The son of Casino Prince accelerated brilliantly once balanced to join the leaders at the 200 metres before surging clear to score by 3-1/4 lengths over Glass Harmonium.
Hawkes said watching All Too Hard's Futurity Stakes win was easier to watch than his CF Orr Stakes success, which was the triple Group I winner's first start since Vinery purchased him from Nathan Tinkler in a multi-million-dollar deal.
"It was a bit more fun today because we got the monkey off the back with the new owners (Vinery) last week so it was quite enjoyable today," Hawkes said.
"After the race I turned to dad (John) and said that I didn't expect anything different."
Hawkes said the most pleasing element of All Too Hard's win was the fact the valuable galloper coped with the heat and humidity well before the race, which helped his performance.
"The best part about today was it is very hot here in Melbourne and he paraded Exceptionallywell," Hawkes said.
"Colts can get a bit hot but he was pretty relaxed behind the gates so you knew he was focused and that's how he won."
Kiwi miler King Mufhasa finished third ahead of the 2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon, who turned in an encouraging first-up run.
Story: Brad Waters RaceNet
Photo: www.sportpix.com.au