Chivvy savvy in Sydney
Promising Melbourne filly Chivvy won't have any problems adapting to the Sydney way of going for the Listed $100,000 The Rosebud (1200m) at Royal Randwick today, according to co-trainer Michael Hawkes.
"Chivvy did her early education at Rosehill and it was no surprise to her when she came back here from our Flemington stables," Hawkes said.
"She adapted straight away to the Sydney way of going."
Chivvy has looked well above average in her two Melbourne starts, winning impressively on debut at Sandown before an unlucky fifth behind Hot Spin at Caulfield.
Hawkes believes Chivvy should boast an unbeaten record going into today's race.
"She is still learning but her run at Caulfield was sensational from a bad barrier," Hawkes explained.
"There was no option but to go back from that barrier (16) and she was last on the corner and forced to go very wide.
"To see her then balance up and hit the line the way she did was very encouraging."
Chivvy has continued to firm in Rosebud betting since markets were first released on Wednesday and she is outright second favourite at $4.80 behind Queenian ($3.20).
"This is a tough race and she will have to really step up but she has pleased us this week and is ready to go," Hawkes added.
The Hawkes stable is also saddling up the consistent Dunrossil in the 4tracks4kids Handicap (1600m).
"Dunrossil has been stiff not to win a couple more races this preparation," Hawkes added.
Consistency seems to be the mantra of Team Hawkes after a successful 2010-11 season that was punctuated by a frustrating series of near misses at Group 1 level.
Maluckyday (Melbourne Cup), Love Conquers All (George Ryder Stakes, Doncaster Mile, Doomben 10,000) and Dao Dao (Emirates Stakes) each ran second in major races, some by agonisingly small margins, but Hawkes said the stable gained a lot of positives from last season.
"Ours horses are competing well and that is the way you have to look it," he added.
In fact, statistics show the Hawkes stable runners invariably earn prizemoney for their owners. The stable had 278 starters last season for 42.5 wins and 77 placings - meaning their runners ran in the top three in 43 per cent of races, or the top five in 62 per cent of all starts.
Story: Ray Thomas The Daily Telegraph