Rainbow sets at Gosford
TEAM Hawkes is keeping all eyes on the weather ahead of tomorrow's $127,000 Gosford Gold Cup to avoid a repeat of Rainbow Styling's aborted Sandown Classic mission last weekend.
The son of Zabeel was whisked back to the Hawkes' Rosehill stables after being withdrawn from his scheduled clash with defending champion Zipping because of the soft track.
"It was either the Gosford Cup or stay here for the Ballarat Cup and we opted to take him back to Syd- ney," assistant trainer Wayne Hawkes said.
"But it's been quite wet up on the Central Coast, which is a bit of a pain.
"As long as it's not too wet he'll handle it all right."
Rainbow Styling campaigned strongly in Melbourne, beating the classy Moudre on one occasion and splitting Precedence and Linton on another.
"He did a good job while he was down here - he won the David Jones, formerly the Coongy, which is a lead-up to the Caulfield Cup and then he didn't have much luck after that," Hawkes said.
"All he did was hit wet tracks and he really hates those heavy tracks."
While 15mm fell in Gosford on Monday, only a few showers are forecast today and a mostly fine day is expected for tomorrow's Cup.
Rainbow Styling's usual on-pace pattern should serve him well around the tight Gosford circuit, especially given his favourable draw in gate six.
"Everything is right with the horse, he's in good stead," Hawkes said.
"He has probably only got one minus and that is that he is obviously coming towards the end [of this preparation].
"He's done such a terrific job and hasn't missed."
Rainbow Styling shares the famous white, grey and pink colours of leviathan owner Nick Moraitis with Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday, who is enjoying some rest and recreation.
"Maluckyday ran super in the Cup and right now he is in the paddock enjoying life in the sun," Hawkes said.
Given Mayluckyday's extraordinary scope and potential, it is little wonder that connections are looking forward to a 2011 tilt at the Cup.
"I certainly hope he gets back in one piece and he is in good form because he's going to given them a run for a long way over the distance," he said. "There wouldn't be too many better stayers in Australia than him at the moment."
Story by By Shayne O'Cass The Daily Telegraph
Photo by Martin King Sportpix