Team Hawkes aiming for a lucky day

One of the most interesting runners at Flemington on Saturday is the lightly-raced Hawkes Racing stayer Maluckyday, who will line up in the Group III Lexus Classic (2500m).

Maluckyday is a four-year-old son of the great Zabeel and he trounced a group of Sydney stayers at his most recent start in the Listed Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m) at Randwick on October 16.

Hawkes Racing co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said “lining up the Melbourne / Sydney thing is never easy” but he is confident the horse can go up the “four cogs” needed to measure up in Saturday’s Melbourne Cup qualifier.

“He’s a pretty smart stayer in the making and everyone in Sydney knows that,” Hawkes said.

“With all due respect, last start in Sydney he beat a bunch of horses that wouldn’t get warm in a race like this.

“We also ran fourth in the race so I know what was behind him that day and this is four cogs up.

“I would like to think he will win, but it’s certainly no easy task because he hasn’t met opposition like this before.”

Hawkes said Saturday will be Maluckyday’s first start in Melbourne but the horse has been prepared for this since his first day under the stable's care.

“He’s only ever raced in Sydney this horse but he’s been down to Melbourne plenty of times so that won’t be a concern, it won’t be stopping this bloke,” he said.

He is also confident the predicted rainfall shouldn’t hinder the horse’s prospects as well as thinking a smaller Lexus field than previous years, should play out to Maluckyday’s liking.

“The biggest thing about Saturday is going to be the weather, they’re predicting Noah’s Ark to carry us out on Saturday,” he said.

“If it comes I think he will handle it as most Zabeels do but it’s certainly not what we want.

“It’s a pretty even field.

“Normally you see the Lexus with a big field whereas Saturday there is only 14 runners and that will play into our hands, less to get in your road.”

Maluckyday is currently well down in the Melbourne Cup order of entry and victory on Saturday would ensure a spot in the 24 horse field but the stable, well known for its patience, could still bypass the first Tuesday in November.

“First of all you have to win but if he does win you have to weigh it all up,” he said.

“He’s still a baby within himself and there are races like the Queen's Cup.

“Makybe Diva won a Queen's Cup [Queen Elizabeth] and she returned a year later to win her first Melbourne Cup.

“We’ll see what happens after the race on Saturday and make a decision by the time the Melbourne Cup acceptances are due.”

TAB Sportsbet has installed Maluckyday as the $4.50 favourite in the Lexus Classic ahead of Purple, Linton and Moudre at $5.

Story by Clinton Payne Racenet