Hawkes Expecting More Horses At Flemington
- Wednesday, 22 April 2015 08:23
The torrential rain in New South Wales is set to result in some of Sydney's biggest stables sending horses south to escape wet tracks.
Wayne Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Michael, said he wouldn't be surprised if he found himself with some more horses at the team's Flemington stables in the coming weeks.
And he predicted some of Sydney's leading stables with a base in Melbourne would be thinking the same way.
Hawkes said the team's Rosehill stables had been inundated with rain in the past few days.
"I'm expecting a few (horses) to be making their way down here," Hawkes said.
"Michael said the rain has been unbelievable and it's going to take a while for the tracks to dry out."
Strindberg became the second Vinery Stud-owned two-year-old to win for Hawkes Racing when he led throughout in the Toronado@Swettenham Handicap (1100m) at Geelong on Wednesday.
Vinery Stud races three juveniles with the stable including Headwater who scored on debut at Moonee Valley and was successful at Rosehill before a fifth placing in the Golden Slipper last month.
Hawkes said Strindberg could be Adelaide-bound for a stakes race after Wednesday's win.
"I haven't looked anywhere beyond today," Hawkes said.
"If there's a stakes race in Adelaide that looks a suitable option then he may head over there.
"It always helps two-year-olds when you can jump and lead like he did.
"Half the two-year-old races are won and lost out of the barriers."
Trainer John Sadler could not remember the last time he had produced a metropolitan treble, a feat he achieved on Wednesday when Oak Park Goblet took out the final event, the Hyland Sportswear Handicap.
Sadler had notched earlier wins with Carashan Girl in the William Hill Handicap (1500m) and Digitalism in the Jim's Mowing Geelong Handicap (1700m).
"I've had a few trebles but it's been a while," Sadler said.
"I reckon it's a little more than five years ago."
Wednesday's Geelong meeting was transferred from the Sandown Hillside course while that track undergoes repairs.
