Gopana – A stayer with a future

It’s not long since Maluckyday went from restricted class galloper to Melbourne Cup placegetter and Hawkes Racing appear to have unearthed another promising stayer in Gopana, who recorded an impressive win at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The lightly raced four-year-old daughter of Galileo arrived in the last few bounds to score a narrow but decisive win in the Rosehill Gardens Event Centre Handicap over 1900m.

Gopana appeared to be up against it when the speed went into the race 600 metres from home and she was going backwards under heavy riding from apprentice Josh Adams.

But luckily for her supporters, on straightening, she picked up the bit and set out after rivals, overhauling the leader in the last couple of bounds.

“She’s a beautiful mare that with a bit of time and maturity has turned into a lovely horse,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.

“The owners [Wynyarra Stud Syn] have been great, they've been very patient and the rewards are starting to show, she keeps getting better and she wants to win.

“I think she’s got a bright future.”

Gopana defeated the Chris Waller-trained Mohtashem with a big margin back to the third placegetter Ausbred Gold.

Hawkes said the stable was unlikely to rush Gopana, preferring to take her through her grades and look to target some better races next preparation.

Winning jockey Josh Adams said Gopana is a mare that would also improve with a gear change.

“I think a set of blinkers would work for her because I was always chasing her in the run,” Adams said. “She’s such a lovely quiet mare she wouldn’t pull the skin off a rice custard.”

Story: Clinton Payne RaceNet

Photo: Bradley Photographers