Top trainer closing in on milestone
Rising star Maluckyday can edge Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes closer to achieving a lifelong ambition if he wins the Group 1 $400,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his sons Wayne and Michael, has won 97 major races during his stellar career.
Only Tommy Smith (282), Bart Cummings (264), Lee Freedman (124), Gai Waterhouse (103) and Colin Hayes (98) have trained more major race winners than Hawkes.
"It is only a number but it will be good to get to 100 one day because only four people have done it," Hawkes said.
Maluckyday, the Melbourne Cup runner-up, is the $1.70 favourite with TAB Sportsbet Fixed Odds to win the Ranvet Stakes, enabling Hawkes to move into equal fifth on the all-time list with Hayes.
Hawkes saw the genius of Hayes first-hand when he began his training career in Adelaide in the early 1970s, an era when Hayes was dominant.
"Colin was a super trainer - simple as that," Hawkes said.
"He was ahead of his time setting up Lindsay Park and having 100 horses in work.
"I think I finished second to him eight times in the Adelaide premiership and I was proud to do that.
"Those three trainers - Bart Cummings, Tommy Smith and Colin Hayes - we will never see their like again. They were all ahead of their time and were real champion trainers in their own right."
Maluckyday, arguably the most exciting stayer in Australian racing, rose rapidly through the ranks last spring, winning the City Tattersall's Club Cup and Lexus Stakes.
He qualified for the Melbourne Cup and beat all but French stayer Americain. Champion So You Think ran third.
Maluckyday resumed with a fast-finishing fourth in the Chipping Norton Stakes behind Danleigh at Warwick Farm two weeks ago.
"We were really happy with his first-up run," Hawkes said.
"In saying that, stayers don't usually sprint as well second-up and he is up to a mile and a quarter [2000m]. But he's doing everything right and as long as he runs well, we will be pleased."
Team Hawkes have a strong team competing this weekend including smart youngster Straight Gold in the Group 2 $300,000 Todman Stakes (1200m) and classy sprinter Love Conquers All in the Group 2 $175,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
"Straight Gold did a couple of things wrong in the Silver Slipper [third behind Satin Shoes] and we hope he has learned from that," Hawkes said. "We are taking on a really good horse in Sepoy but we will soon see where our bloke is at.
"Sepoy is the best two-year-old I've seen this season and deserves to be favourite. He's done nothing wrong so far."
Hawkes also conceded Love Conquers All faced a task to upset More Joyous tomorrow.
"Love Conquers All hasn't had much luck in his two runs back and he's going well but it's hard to see him beating More Joyous," he said.
"The top mares like her are so well in at weight-for-age. They took the weight advantage away from the three-year-olds but they won't take it away from the mares. I think it is time that changed."
Hawkes confirmed AJC Australian Derby hopeful Shadowofexcellence, a three-quarter brother to triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, would run in the Group 2 $200,000 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley tonight rather than at Canterbury.
The Hawkes stable also has promising Moshe, a full-brother to world champion sprinter Black Caviar, contesting the Moreton Hire Handicap (1000m) at the Valley night meeting.
"Shadowofexcellence is a young horse on the way up and you've got to have a go at these sort of races," Hawkes said.
Story: Ray Thomas Daily Telegraph
Photo: www.sportpix.com.au