Team Hawkes and McDonald go bang, bang at Canterbury

The Hawkes Racing stable and top jockey James McDonald have combined for the opening two winners at Canterbury on Saturday.

First starter Invisible kicked off proceedings for the trainer, jockey combination before genuine filly Maysoon was rewarded for her consistency with a first Saturday city win in the Australian Turf Club Benchmark 75 Handicap (1200m).

Maysoon was having the sixth start of her maiden campaign and the win took her record to three victories and three placings for a return of more than $150,000.

The daughter of Eavesdropper (USA), who stands her owners Emirates Park Stud, began well and settled outside the heavily backed leader Encostanati. The two leaders ran the race to suit themselves before Maysoon stormed to the front in the straight and cruised away for an easy win.

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes, who trains Maysoon in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, paid tribute to his filly's toughness after the win.

"She's not overly big but gee she's got guts,” Hawkes told TVN. "James did the right thing, he didn't rush to get outside the leader and she wasn't going overly hard to do it.

"When he came around the corner with a lap full of horse it was all over.”

Maysoon ($3.10 fav) defeated the Paul Messara-trained Chosen Idol ($21) by 1-3/4 lengths with a long head back to the Marc Conners-trained Fiftyshadesofgrey ($11). Encostanati didn't live up to punters expectations and weakened in the straight to finish last.