The Follow Files: Team Hawkes filly gets no luck as favourite
Tancred Stakes Day at Rosehill Gardens took centre stage last Saturday, as the program was headlined by the final lead-up races for The Championships. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners from Rosehill that we think are worth following at their next start. You can add these runners to your blackbook with your chosen online bookmaker and get alerts before they run.
Rosehill Gardens
Rail position: +6m 900m to winning post, +5m remainder
Race 5: Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) | Time: 1:28.79
- Horse to follow: Makarena (4th)
One of the toughest watches of any runner last weekend was that of Makarena in the Emancipation Stakes. The Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained filly was heavily backed into favouritism and after settling behind the leaders, she was held up from the home turn until the 150m mark before finishing off strongly to run fourth. With a fair run, the daughter of Snitzel would have been extremely hard to beat.
When to bet: Although Makarena is nominated for the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes, it is expected that Team Hawkes will accept for something in slightly lower grade over 1500m or 1600m. If they do accept for a Group 2 or Group 3 race next, she should be winning.
Race 6: Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.04
- Horse to follow: Roots (3rd)
Chris Waller and Jason Collett combined with Roots first-up as the five-year-old mare flew home from the back of the field to finish third behind Bandi’s Boy in the Star Kingdom Stakes over 1200m. After settling in the last two pairs before turning into the home straight, Collett took the daughter of Press Statement back to the inside rail, and she took significant ground off the leading duo late. Due to Malkovich assuring a solid tempo, Roots enjoyed the pressure and showed that she would appreciate a step up in trip next start.
When to bet: If Chris Waller can find a race over 1400m at Group 2 or Group 3 level for Roots, she should prove very hard to beat second-up after such a strong showing fresh.
Race 8: Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) | Time: 2:28.91
- Horse to follow: More Felons (2nd)
More Felons was beaten by Kalapour in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes and went within a head of recording back-to-back wins to start this preparation after claiming the Listed Parramatta Cup first-up. After settling mid-field in the 2400m race, the Chris Waller-trained gelding took a few strides to warm up in the final 300m, but once he did, he finished as strong as any of his rivals. It appears as though the son of Churchill’s Sydney Cup campaign is going very well, and he should be ready to go third-up at 3200m.
When to bet: As mentioned above, More Felons is on a Sydney Cup campaign, and of the runners that we have seen in the lead-up to the Group 1 contest on April 13, he looks to be the one to beat.