Fresh off a brilliant victory in the Takeover Target Stakes, the bookies are taking no chances with Semillion at Randwick on Saturday. But trainer John Hawkes admits he is only ‘cautiously optimistic’.
Alex and Lamby are betting around the favourite in the G1 Queensland Oaks, while Clance has a “superb bet” on the same card. There is also a bit of movement on the ‘Self-trumpeter’ leaderboard, with a couple of notorious bugle-blowers polling.
A brilliant last-start winner of the Takeover Target Stakes, Semillion is early favourite at $4.60 with TAB Fixed Odds.
But Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes was “cautiously optimistic” when asked if Semillion could maintain winning momentum in the Australian Turf Club’s feature winter sprint.
“It was the right race for Semillion last start – heavy track, light weight, right barrier, that was his race and he won,’’ Hawkes said.
“You don’t get those conditions too often at that level but he was able to get the job done at Newcastle.
“This is harder on Saturday but he’s trained on well and has some chance again. He does like wet tracks.’’
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Randwick’s course proper was rated a heavy 8 on Thursday but a downgrade is likely given the forecast of more rain on Friday.
Semillion “sailed’’ through very heavy conditions to win at Newcastle so he is one horse who will handle the track conditions on Saturday.
The Bob Charley Stakes, formerly known as the June Stakes, is one of the Australian Turf Club’s oldest feature races with its first running back in 1903.
Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his sons Michael and Wayne, is chasing his second win in the race after Love Conquers All in 2010.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes speaks to jockey Zac Lloyd Semillion’s Takeover Target Stakes victory. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images
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Rising 10-year-old Mount Popa is the Hawkes stable hopeful in the Listed $200,000 Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m), a race they won with Zephyron a decade ago.
Mount Popa is rated only a $23 chance on Saturday for his attempt to break a winless streak that stretches more than two years.
But arguably Mount Popa’s best career effort came on an extremely heavy Randwick track in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes two years ago when he ran third to Think It Over and Zaaki.
The Hawkes stable also has Gitalong ($13, TAB Handicap) and Flying Crazy ($26, Petaluma Handicap) entered for the Randwick meeting.
Hawkes said smart sprinter Mars Mission had been sent to Melbourne in search of a drier surface which he should get in the Oaklands Trophy (1200m) at Flemington.