Tucanchoo on Tatt’s Cup mission
The powerful Hawkes training team will rekindle a long-time association with jockey Paul Hammersley at Eagle Farm.
Hammersley will ride in-form stayer Tucanchoo in Saturday’s Group Three Tattersall’s Cup (2200m).
When John Hawkes was head trainer for the Ingham family, his son Michael ran the Brisbane stable while his other son Wayne was based in Melbourne.
The three are now in partnership as public trainers with Michael overseeing their horses during the Queensland winter carnival.
“Paul hasn’t ridden for us much in recent years but he did a good bit of riding for us back when we had a stable in Brisbane a decade ago,” Hawkes said.
“He knows the Eagle farm track and his riding style should suit Tucanchoo.”
Tucanchoo, owned by a syndicate which includes Greg Ingham, is a six-year-old who has had only 18 starts.
He has won his past three starts at Warwick Farm, Sandown and Randwick in benchmark company which Hawkes said earned him the chance at a stakes race.
“He is a gelding by Pentire and they usually get better with time,” he said.
“The Tatt’s Cup isn’t overly strong and it looks a nice race for him with the minimum weight.
“It will be a hit-and-run mission. He will be on the float back to Sydney on Sunday morning and we won’t be hanging around for the Caloundra Cup on Saturday week.”