Hawkes declares Electric Girl a live chance in Canterbury Stakes
Michael Hawkes believes his stable has done everything possible to have Electric Girl ready to compete well in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick.
But like all his runners in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday, Hawkes – in partnership with father John and brother Wayne – is hoping her talent will be enough for her to prevail in a difficult field.
A bit of luck also wouldn’t go astray, with the $11 winning chance across horse racing betting sites up against the likes of $1.85 favourite Imperatriz, and Godolphin stars Cascadian and Golden Mile.
Champion jockey James McDonald will be aboard Imperatriz for Mark Walker, who was a comfortable 4 ½-length winner in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint at Waikato last start on February 11.
Cascadian might offer good value at $13 to win.
The star veteran eight-year-old gelding with $5.7 million to his name is a two-time Group 1 winner and is first-up after his fourth in the Northerly Stakes at Ascot on December 3.
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Stablemate and two-year-old colt Golden Mile finished second to Mariamia when first-up in the Expressway Stakes on January 28, after winning the Group 2 Callander-Presnell on October 22 last year.
But starting from barrier one on an ideal Good 4 surface, six-year-old mare Electric Girl – with capable apprentice Zac Lloyd aboard – should also not be discounted for the Hawkes stable.
“She’s a chance. It was a good win last start. Tough field, tough ask,” Michael Hawkes told HorseBetting.com.au.
“But she’s had a run under her belt. She’s kept improving.”
That run was a classy half-length victory in the Millie Fox Stakes at the same venue and 1300m distance on February 18.
She was also a game runner-up to Promise Of Success in the $2 million The Invitation three starts back on October 22 last year.
“She gets her crack in a Group 1 – that’s why she’s heading that way,” Hawkes said.
“Those tracks were hard and that’s what she loves.”
Two-year-old Mathkhoora is another filly who does not seem short on talent ahead of her debut in the Reisling Stakes.
She won a two-year-old open trial for fillies over 900m at Rosehill on Monday.
Learning To Fly is the emerging superstar filly and $1.75 favourite for this Group 2 sprint worth $300,000 and over 1200m.
“It’s a tough ask first-up in a race like that. The favourite will be hard to beat,” Hawkes said, with Sam Clipperton set to ride Mathkhoora.
“Learning To Fly has got racing experience – she’s had two starts for two wins.
“We’ve had no starts yet. She might have the ability, but race fitness is what it’s all about.
“But you’ve got to be in it to win it. I’d like to get through (Saturday) first, and we’ll figure it out from there.”
Aravene is a $31 outsider for the Listed Randwick City Stakes over 2000m, but the four-year-old mare will start from barrier one with Millie Fox Stakes-winning hoop Lloyd aboard.
“She good. She’s looking for ground now – 2000m will suit her,” Hawkes said.
“She’s drawn well. It should be a nice race.”
Star rider Brenton Avdulla will pilot $6.50 winning chance Dashing Legend in the Listed Fireball Stakes.
The three-year-old filly finished third in the $500,000 Tapp-Craig on a Heavy 10 on October 8 last year, and won at Benchmark 72 level first-up over 1100m at Canterbury on February 10.
Set to start from barrier 12, Hawkes again called on the racing gods for some assistance.
“Drawn terribly, unfortunately. She’s going to need a bit of luck, but she’s well,” he said.
Like Electric Girl, Hawkes said four-year-old stablemate Remarque had the talent to be competitive as a $4.20 winning chance (with Ladbrokes) in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes over 1000m.
The gelding was an impressive one-length winner first-up at Benchmark 94 level over the same distance and track on February 4.
“He’s up against Eduardo and Giga Kick, but he’s back on song,” Hawkes said.
“He’s had a start. His first-up win was enormous, and I can’t see why he can’t go on with it.”
Lloyd will pilot $7 winning chance Jump The Broom in the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) – the last on the card at Randwick on Saturday.
The five-year-old mare finished a length behind victor Po Kare Kare – a $6.50 chance this weekend – in the Triscay Stakes first-up on February 11.
Again after the barrier allocations, Hawkes said some assistance from Lady Luck would not go astray.
“Shocking barrier (13), unfortunately. It was a good run last start,” he said.
“When you’re drawing awkward barriers, it makes it hard.
“You just need a bit more luck.”