Pontiana leads a Hawkes Racing assault at Rosehill

The in-form stable of Hawkes Racing is looking to continue its recent good form at Rosehill on Saturday where they have five runners, headed up by the stakes performed Pontiana.

On Wednesday at Canterbury, the Rosehill training operation produced a winning double courtesy of Mecir and Core Purpose.

On Saturday, Pontiana will put her Queensland winter carnival credentials on the line when she takes her place in the Blackwoods Benchmark 94 Handicap (1400m).

The daughter of Redoute’s Choice resumed from a spell when well fancied in the Darley Crown at Hawkesbury. Pontiana was set a task, doing her share of work early in a backmarker dominated race, before battling on bravely to finish 2-3/4 lengths behind More Strawberries.

"She’s going really well and we’re expecting a good performance on Saturday,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.

"Provided she runs as we expect she’ll head up to Brisbane for some nice mares races after the weekend.”

Arguably the most interesting runner from the stable is the Lonhro gelding Sherwood, who lines up in the JR Turk Handicap (1200m).

Sherwood made an impressive debut to his racing career when a comprehensive 2-1/4 length winner in a Bendigo maiden over 1100 metres on May 4.

"He’s a lovely horse,” Hawkes said. "History shows it’s never easy going from maiden to Saturday company but he’s a talented horse and we’re expecting a solid showing on the weekend.”

The stable’s three other Rosehill representatives are the first starter Secret Sham in the Power Access 2YO Plate (1200m), last start winner Gopana in the Wilson Asset Management Handicap (2000m) and Embark, who resumes in the PKF Handicap (1200m).

"Gopana has come on nicely since her win at Rosehill the other week and she’s a good chance again,” Hawkes said.

Story: Clinton Payne RaceNet