Hawkes swoops with autumn guns

Team Hawkes will unleash three autumn carnival big guns in Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday, Black Caviar's unbeaten younger brother Moshe, and stable warhorse Mentality at the Rosehill barrier trials today.

Maluckyday has not raced since his outstanding second to French stayer Americain in the famous Flemington two-miler on the first Tuesday in November and Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes admitted he was unsure when the boom stayer will resume racing.

"He had about seven weeks off after the Cup so he's had a nice break," revealed Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his sons Wayne and Michael. "But I want to see how he trials first before we decide when he will be ready to race again."

Maluckyday is contesting a 900m heat that includes Rangirangdoo, last year's Doncaster Mile winner.

Hawkes said Maluckyday would be restricted to a light Sydney autumn campaign with a likely target the $2.25 million The BMW at Rosehill on April 2.

Moshe has won his only two starts in Victoria and comes to Sydney with a big reputation, but Hawkes said the three-year-old still has a lot to prove.

"He's a nice horse but I wouldn't be getting too carried away just yet, he's still in restricted grade," Hawkes said.

"Mentality isn't getting any younger and he needs dry tracks but he's going well on the track."

The in-form Hawkes stable has only one nomination for Saturday's Rosehill Gardens meeting with Love Conquers All among 12 entries for the Group 2 $250,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m). The feature weight-for-age sprint brings together the first five over the line in the Expressway Stakes earlier this month.

They are Centennial Park, Love Conquers All, Hot Danish, Danleigh and Lorne Dancer.

Group One winners Melito, Metal Bender, Once Were Wild and Vision And Power, plus talented Drumbeats, add further depth to the Apollo Stakes entries.

Story: Ray Thomas Daily Telegraph

Photo: Martin King Sportpix