Hawkes jubilant as Niwot storms into the Big One
Team Hawkes has stormed into Melbourne Cup contention for the second straight year after Niwot, a horse deemed gone, blew rivals away at Flemington yesterday.
For lightweight, workaholic jockey Dean Yendall, who has had a couple of setbacks in trying to secure a ride in the great race, the Melbourne Cup dream is again alive.
Niwot thumped rivals with a rare brand of acceleration to win the Lexus Stakes by three lengths. Favourite Green Moon turned in a pre-Melbourne Cup shocker.
"All I can say was he was extremely disappointing," the latter's jockey, Nicholas Hall, said after the $2.60 favourite led and finished 12th.
For John Hawkes, who trains in partnership with sons Wayne and Michael, the quest for a first Cup triumph also remains alive.
The Lexus victory earned Niwot automatic entry into Tuesday's $6.2 million race. The Hawkes camp finished second in last year's staying test with Maluckyday.
"[Niwot] is in with a chance," John Hawkes said. "He'll run two miles and a lot won't on Tuesday. It is all about them peaking on the day and I thought he was dominant. I thought that was the best run of his career."
On the corresponding day last year the Hawkes team unleashed Maluckyday in the Lexus. After a crushing win the gelding returned to Flemington to power past So You Think in the Melbourne Cup with only the winner, Americain, in front.
Hawkes had nothing but praise for Yendall yesterday.
"A really hard working jockey," Hawkes said. "He rides every day and he rides light. He'll ride it at his right weight [51kg], he is fit, he knows the horse, that's why I left him on it. I'm really pleased for him."
Yendall said he rode Niwot "upside down" in the Caulfield Cup as he was better when parked off the speed. "He puts himself in a comfortable spot early on and switches off," Yendall said.
Last year he was anticipating a Melbourne Cup ride aboard Moudre but was dragged off mid-preparation, with the stayer not making the race. Moudre did, however, go on to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, with Craig Williams the rider. "It is a jockey's life, the disappointments," Yendall said. "About five years ago I was supposed to ride Dolphin Jo in the Melbourne Cup but I broke my leg on the eve of the Derby meeting."
Yendall is not the only one to have suffered leg damage.
"[Niwot] shattered all the bones in the back of his knees," Hawkes revealed. "Smashed them up and had to have 12 months off."
Story: Craig Young The Age
Photo: Martin King Sportpix www.sportpix.com.au