Sir John Hawkwood thrives in Metropolitan for new partnership
BLAKE Spriggs celebrated his first group one win in style when Sir John Hawkwood dominated the Group 1 Metropolitan at Randwick on Saturday.
Spriggs has long been the eight-year-old’s regular jockey, but when the horse shifted hands to Waratah Thoroughbreds and trainer John Thompson, Spriggs was assured the ride so long as he stuck with the old-timer.
The persistence paid off on Saturday as Sir John Hawkwood cruised to victory over the 2400m and gave both Spriggs and Thompson a memorable win.
“Amazing. Best day of my life,” Spriggs said. “Boss said to me if you can keep him going you can stick with him. I owe it all to Waratah (Thoroughbreds) and Paul Fudge (Manager of Waratah Thoroughbreds).
“They got him 100 percent today, full credit to John. He’s not easy to train. Just goes to show what a master trainer he is.”
Spriggs settled the son of Sir Percy behind the leader before easing out on the turn and kicking clear for an easy victory over race-favourite Antonio Giuseppe and Allergic.
“It panned out beautifully,” Spriggs said. “He’s not a horse you can get into a pushing duel with so I was happy to go to the fence.
“He really dashed, caught me off guard, thought I got to the front too soon.”
John Thompson has only had Sir John Hawkwood for a short period of time, but has managed to turn a consistent horse into a group one winner. Based out of Randwick, Thompson pays tribute to the many owners it has had before him.
“He’s a marvelous old horse. He’s in great condition and credit to my predecessors,” Thompson said. “I don’t know him that well, haven’t had him long.
“He’s done nothing but thrive in the stable. Paul put in a plan to go second up into this. He’s done nothing but improve.”
Thompson also credited the smart ride by Spriggs.
“He done his homework. He told us what he was going to do and he got the job done. Big thrill,” Thompson said.
Sir John Hawkwood is now $81 at Sportsbet.com.au for the 2016 Melbourne Cup on November 1.