‘Old Maluckyday’ set to show up in the 2013 The BMW
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes says punters could witness a performance of the "old Maluckyday” in Saturday’s Group I The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill.
Michael, who trains Maluckyday in partnership with his brother Wayne and Hall of Fame training father John, believes the son of Zabeel is capable of recapturing the form that shot the horse to prominence in the spring of 2010.
The then four-year-old strung three wins together culminating in victory in the Group III Lexus Stakes (2500m) before beating all but Americain in the Melbourne Cup.
"It’s been well documented that he’s had his ups and downs over the past couple of years,” Michael Hawkes said.
"He showed some signs of his best in the spring but he probably needed that campaign after he was so sick.”
In the spring of 2011, Maluckyday contracted a virus which developed into pneumonia, nearly claiming his life.
Maluckyday returned to the racetrack in September last year and produced some smart performances but Hawkes said his third in the Group I Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 23 was a sign the horse is finally getting back to his best.
"I thought he was the run of the race in the Ranvet,” he said. "He showed some of the old Maluckyday and hopefully he can bring the old Maluckyday on Saturday.
"I think he’s turned the corner. He’s dappled up, I can’t fault him, he’s been set for Saturday and everything’s been going to plan.
"He’s a weight-for-age class stayer at his best. He came through the Ranvet really well and he’s now at a trip that suits.”
Jockey Dwayne Dunn will ride Maluckyday while Michael Rodd will partner his stablemate, last year’s Sydney Cup winner Niwot on Saturday.
Niwot also contested the Ranvet Stakes where he finished eighth, a performance the co-trainer said should be forgiven.
We went forward on him the other day thinking they might have gone a bit slower than they did and that took him out of his comfort zone so it was a bit of an upside down run,” he said.
"He’s heading to the Sydney Cup but he’s well and will run a good race.
"Don’t be surprised to see him run a bottler.”
Maluckyday is the $7 equal second favourite for The BMW in final field markets while Niwot is a $51 chance.
Story: Clinton Payne RaceNet