Front run solidifies Cup belief
Win reaffirms trainer’s high opinion of White Hawk
WHITE HAWK powered his way into next month’s Hobart Cup field with a bold frontrunning display in the weightfor-age Summer Cup at Elwick on Sunday, to reaffirm his trainer’s belief that the gelded son of Tough Speed has what it takes to win a major cup.
Much to the chagrin of most punters, White Hawk delivered his best effort this season at bolter’s odds of $101 with Victorian jockey Stan Tsaikos aboard, but his trainer Angela Brakey was far from surprised at the result.
“I have maintained all along that this horse is a down and out stayer that needs to be ridden a certain way to get the best out of him, and Stan (Tsaikos) delivered that ride,” Brakey said.
“At his past few starts he has been ridden back in the field and when he gets cluttered up and not allowed to roll along, he can’t do what he did to win this race.
“He’s been running into the backs of other horses in previous starts, so I was rapt when Stan took him to the front and allowed him to roll along and do what he does best. He is very fit and that’s going to be an advantage when he gets to both major cups.”
White Hawk started three times with the space of a week recently, but Brakey said the gelding thrived on racing.
“I’ve worked out that this horse thrives on work and having three runs in the space of a week had no effect on him mentally or physically.
“He would walk 50 to 100 kilometres a day in his yard, but that’s him.”
By winning the Summer Cup over 2200m, White Hawk earned ballot-free entry into the Ladbrokes Hobart Cup.
Mandela Effect was a game second and probably wins had the race been 50m further, so the Scott Brunton-trained gelding looks set to have his first run in a major Cup on February 7.
Glass Warrior ($14) ran home well from near last to finish third and three lengths from the winner, and it pleased his trainer John
Blacker.
The first three placegetters in the Summer Cup were bred by Mandy Gunn from Motree Thoroughbreds and it is believed to be the first time a Tasmanian stud has snared the trifecta in a feature staying race.
Motree Thoroughbreds have dominated this season and Gunn said that she had many yearlings entered in next month’s Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale that would attract plenty of attention.
“I have Mandela Effect’s full brother in the sale as well as White Hawk’s half-sister by Alpine Eagle, a Toronado filly that is a half-sister to Uber Ed, and I really like a half-sister to Banca Bet by Rebel Dane,” Gunn said.
Gunn said her Mum, Val Vince, was smart enough to take the Gunn-bred box trifecta in the Summer Cup and was rewarded with an $9840 dividend.