Stratford misses BMW Classic and heads to the Gold Coast for Magic Millions Day
Stratford is out of the Canterbury BMW Classic tonight as he chases another win on Magic Millions Day on the Gold Coast tomorrow.
John Hawkes, who trains Stratford in partnership with his sons Wayne and Michael, revealed the decision was made to aim the promising sprinter at the $100,000 Sky Racing Magic Millions Plate (1200m).
"Stratford is already at the Gold Coast," Hawkes confirmed last night. "He's running here instead of Canterbury. I'm sure he would have been competitive (tonight) in the Listed race but the weight scale doesn't suit these sort of up-and-coming sprinters.
"He's well weighted on the Gold Coast so we are just trying to place him where he has his best chance to win."
Stratford had been the $3.20 favourite on TAB Sportsbet fixed odds for the $100,000 Canterbury BMW Classic (1100m). His withdrawal will result in a market reshuffle with last start Razor Sharp Handicap winner News Alert now heading betting.
Hawkes has given Stratford two barrier trials to prepare for tomorrow's race and is confident the gelding will prove hard to beat.
"He's a handy horse, he's no superstar but he tries hard," the Hall of Fame trainer said. "He's won here so we know he handles the track."
Team Hawkes does have a starter at Moonee Valley tonight with Chi Chi lining up in the MVRC Handicap (1200m).
Hawkes believes Chi Chi can improve on her last start fifth behind Roses In The Glen over tonight's course and distance.
"She's in the right race and will be competitive," he added.
At Rosehill Gardens tomorrow, Hawkes is upbeat about the chances of Chivvy in the Sharp Handicap (1200m).
Chivvy, a well-bred filly by Flying Spur, shaped promisingly first-up when narrowly beaten in third place behind Rescue Mission at Caulfield on Boxing Day. Hawkes said as there were no suitable races for Chivvy in Melbourne he didn't hesitate to bring her to Sydney - a practice the trainer has made into an art-form for 20 years.
"The two stables (Rosehill and Flemington) gives us that option to send horses interstate for the right race," Hawkes said. "We have done that a lot over the years and trainers like Peter Snowden also do the same."
Story by Ray Thomas Daily Telegraph