Sir John Hawkwood boosts Sydney Cup hopes
Former European Sir John Hawkwood could have a typically northern hemisphere preparation for the Sydney Cup.
The gelding won Saturday’s Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and trainer David Vandyke will consider keeping him at home for the next four weeks until the Group One staying test.
Sir John Hawkwood’s Group Three win was Vandyke’s biggest so far for major client Paul Fudge of Waratah Thoroughbreds and the seven-year-old did it in style.
Blake Spriggs brought Sir John Hawkwood ($5) with a late run to nab the leader and equal favourite Messene ($4) to win by a short head.
Who Shot Thebarman ($4.20) was another length third with the race run without early odds-on favourite Hartnell who was withdrawn because of a sore hock.
“I’ll see how he is through the week,” Vandyke said.
“We did have the Chairman’s Handicap in mind but he goes well fresh and he could go second-up to the Sydney Cup.
“It’s my biggest win for Waratah and I’d love him to go all the way.
“I don’t think he will have any trouble getting 3200 metres.”
Spriggs is already preparing for his Group One assignment.
“He has 50 kilos in the Sydney Cup and I’m already down to 51-1/2,” he said.
“It is a great thrill to get this win. It’s my biggest win since I rode Squamosa to win the (2010) Run To The Rose.
“I don’t think this horse will have any trouble with 3200 metres in the Sydney Cup.”