Team Hawkes turns it around with Tavarnelle saluting at Flemington

Team Hawkes suffered the setback of champion three-year-old colt All Too Hard being scratched from Australian Guineas but gained consolation when Tavarnelle saluted in the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes.

Tavarnelle journeyed to Melbourne to avoid the Sydney wet and up-set the quality field.

Astute punters took the tip and backed her from $17 into $12.

Against predictions, she settled near the lead and fought on doggedly for jockey Glen Boss.

"I thought she would be seriously hard to beat," Wayne Hawkes said.

"She flew the gates and it was surprising she bobbed outside the leader (Sheila's Star). She was strong at the finish so it was a good result."

The mare, by Zabeel, was first-up and followed similar efforts of Aloha and Raspberries in the past two years.

"She is a Group winner now so it doesn't matter where she goes," Wayne Hawkes said of her immediate future.

Sheila's Star ($3.50) took control of the race from the start, slowing the pace mid-race before the charge home began at the corner.

She withstood all challengers bar the winner and looks set for a top campaign after a luckless third in the Harbeeba Stakes.

Koonoomoo ($6.50) settled second last but ran home hard for third, a neck from the winner. Her effort was excellent as this was her third run in a month and she has taken on quality races every time.

Hareeba Stakes winner Jolie Blonde ($11) finished fourth in a consistent effort, only a length from the winner, while ATC Oaks placegetter Thy ($15) worked home well for fifth.

There's Only One, the dominant $2.90 favourite, settled at the tail and had too much to do when the speed was applied at the corner. However she ran home the last 400m to finish sixth and within two lengths off the winner.

Hawkes said All Too Hard had licked his bin and looked "bright as a button" yesterday morning but revealed an elevated temperature.

"You don't take risks with $20 million colts. There is much more ahead of him so it is just not worth the risk," he said.

Hawkes said it was yet to be decided if All Too Hard remained in Melbourne or went to Sydney for his next assignment.

Story: Rod Nicholson Daily Telegraph

Photo: www.sportpix.com.au