Black Caviar's brother Moshe is focus of attention this weekend
A Melbourne Cup runner-up and Golden Slipper hopeful are key entries for the Hawkes stable this weekend, but it's a horse with only two minor wins that's likely to attract the biggest slice of attention.
Moshe isn't heading for any major targets at the moment, but the fact he is the younger brother to Black Caviar means his every step is of public interest.
Stable representative Michael Hawkes said Moshe was a likely acceptor for Moonee Valley on Friday night and Saturday's Fireball Quality at Rosehill.
"He's in Sydney at the moment, but we will have a look at the nominations and decide what the best option for him is," Hawkes said yesterday.
Moshe was purchased out of Melbourne as a yearling for only $75,000 before his big sister emerged on the scene. He won by six lengths on debut at Bendigo last November and followed up with a Moonee Valley win at skinny odds.
"You could say it puts a bit of added pressure on (being a brother to a world champion), but the bottom line is that pressure is only what you put on yourself," Hawkes said.
"He's still a restricted class horse. Obviously there's a lot of hype, but he's no Black Caviar, that's for certain.
"If he's half or even a quarter as good as her we will be pretty happy."
While Moshe is still coming through his grades, stablemates Straight Gold and Maluckyday have more lucrative targets this autumn.
Straight Gold emerged as a Golden Slipper contender when an easy five-length Canterbury win on February 4.
His clash with Satin Shoes in Saturday's Silver Slipper is certain to shake up Golden Slipper betting.
"It didn't surprise me that he won on debut we thought he could win but I was surprised with the ease that he did it," Hawkes said of the Stratum colt.
The stable also has the unraced Encosta De Lago filly Aneto nominated for the Silver Slipper but she is more likely to run at Canterbury tomorrow.
Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday, who is being aimed at the BMW, was expected to resume in Saturday's Futurity Stakes but is not a certain starter.
"He's still here in Sydney and we are undecided whether to run Saturday or wait for a race here," Hawkes said.
"It's about looking after the horse. He has done everything right to this minute.
"The first Tuesday in November that's the one we want he was always going to have a light autumn regardless. Whether he gets there (BMW) or not is up to the horse."
If he bypasses the Futurity, Maluckyday could clash first up with Theseo, who won a trial in stylish fashion at Randwick yesterday, in the Chipping Norton Stakes on March 5.
Caulfield Cup-winning stablemate Descerado was among the beaten division in Theseo's trial and he was one of 10 winners for Gai Waterhouse during the session.
"He looked very sharp and he's really turned the corner in the last couple of weeks," Waterhouse said of the $3.2 million earner.
Story: Nathan Exelby Courier Mail
Photo: racepixvic.com.au