Kaepernick looking likely for Stradbroke
Kaepernick could well have earned himself a start in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap with a solid win in an unofficial trial at the Sunshine Coast.
Kaepernick was to run in the Group QTC Cup (1300m) last Saturday but with that meeting washed out the race has been added to the Stradbroke program, opening up the options.
The four-year-old is entered for both races on Saturday.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes was at the Sunshine Coast to watch the trial and said the stable was leaning towards the Stradbroke.
Kaepernick travelled deep for most of Tuesday’s 800m-hit-out to beat handy restricted class horse Rosella by 2-1/4 lengths in 53.73secs on the soft track.
Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, said the work-out should help Kaepernick step up from 1300 to the 1400 metres of the Stradbroke.
“We want to see how Kaepernick comes up after the trial,” Hawkes said.
“We also have to speak with the owners again. A decision isn’t likely until Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.”
Kaepernick was a last-start winner of the Listed Ortensia Stakes at Scone on May 14 which lifted his earnings to $338,750.
After Saturday Kaepernick will head for a spell to be brought back for the spring and autumn carnivals.
“This horse has had a lot of bad luck in his career but he is right now,” Hawkes said.
“The only reason be won’t race in either the Stradbroke or QTC cup on Saturday is on the unlikely chance the weather turns wet again.”
Kaepernick is a $13 chance in the Stradbroke with Azkadellia holding favouritism at $4.
Azkadellia was among the horses to work at Eagle Farm on Tuesday with trainer Ciaron Maher pleased with her progress.
Maher, who won Brisbane’s premier race a year ago with Srikandi, said Azkadellia’s biggest obstacle was her racing style.
“She gets back and she’s either got to weave a path through the field or go wide,” he told Racing Queensland.
“I think that’s her biggest opposition – getting a nice clean run through.”