Niwot bolts into Melbourne Cup contention

The stable described him as "a tough old gelding” but Niwot showed he’s got a touch of class with a dominant win in the Group III Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Trained by the Hawkes Racing team of father John along with sons Michael and Wayne, Niwot forced his way into next Tuesday’s $6 million Melbourne Cup in similar fashion to his more heralded stablemate Maluckyday did in the same race last year.

After racing in a midfield position, Niwot edged up near the leaders as the field entered the straight and within the space of 100 metres he’d made his mark on the race surging clear to win running away.

"He [Dean Yendall] was able to get him one off the fence, smoke his pipe, give him a couple of slaps at the top of the straight and that was that,” co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.

"It was a good dominant win.”

The Peter Moody-trained Macedonian trailed Niwot in the run but was unable to match the winner’s sprint before working home in solid fashion to finish a clear second with Anudjawun leading home the rest of the field in third.

The flop of the race was the Caulfield Cup runner-up Green Moon, who led as he liked but within a few strides of Niwot going past him he was a beaten conveyance and dropped out to finish second last.

"I’ve got nothing for you, I just thought he was poor,” Green Moon’s jockey Nick Hall said.

"Nothing else to say.”

Racing Victoria Handicapper Greg Carpenter elected not to issue a Melbourne Cup penalty to Niwot following the win so the gelding will carry 51kg next Tuesday.

"He will not be taking a penalty for today’s victory,” Carpenter said.

"I think as a seven-year-old his form is well exposed and I’m happy with the weight that he’s currently got.”

Dean Yendall will retain the Melbourne Cup ride aboard Niwot and IASbet firmed the gelding into $15.

Story: Clinton Payne RaceNet

Photo: Martin King Sportpix