Hawkes set to do it again

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes believes Happy Galaxy is the right type of horse to emulate two horses formerly trained by his father, Hall of Fame co-trainer John Hawkes, in Saturday's $200,000 Group II Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm.

The Expressway Stakes was first run in 1974 and since the inception of the race, nine three-year-olds have managed to defeat the older horses with the last two victories being recorded by John Hawkes-trained gallopers Mentality in 2007 and Hockney in 1998.

Michael said Happy Galaxy, although lightly raced, has shown the stable that he is well positioned to inflict win number 10 for his age group over some hardened performers.

There's no doubting this is clearly his hardest test to date," Hawkes said.

"He won a stakes race last time against his own age but this is a few of cogs up against some hard tough and weight-for-age horses.

"He gets his chance because he has an advantage being hard race fit.

"He also gets weight relief and this is a suitable race for him for where he's at in his preparation and it's a kick off point for some of his rivals."

Hawkes said Happy Galaxy is set to return to the stable's Rosehill base overnight from Flemington. He has no fears with the horse travelling to and from Victoria on either side of his latest win in the Listed Zedative Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on January 26.

"He's done plenty of travelling to Melbourne and during his career so that's not a concern or a problem to us," he said.

"He's an adaptable horse that doesn't get fazed by much. It's acutely hard to believe he's a colt sometimes.

"The horse is great."

Jockey Jay Ford, who tasted success aboard Happy Galaxy two runs back when the son of Nadeem thumped his rivals by four lengths at Rosehill in January, reunites with the galloper.

Corporate bookie Iasbet has posted Happy Galaxy as the $3 favourite for the 2013 Expressway Stakes.

Story: RaceNet