Latest news with #HawkesRacing
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes predicts a bright future for Spione after his stylish victory at Randwick
Trainer Michael Hawkes predicted a bright future for promising Spione after a fast-finishing win at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Spione, ridden by Tyler Schiller, went very wide on the turn and made his run near the outside rail before reeling in his rivals to win the Magnolia Lane Financial Services Handicap (1400m). 'We have a lot of time for this horse,' Hawkes said. 'He was very unlucky here last start and he drew an awkward barrier today. 'I told Tyler that unfortunately he would have to go back on him but we think the horse is good enough. 'We just had to hope he got some clear air then let him rip and he's done that. It was a very good win.' Spione, well backed into $3.90 favouritism, ran down Thunderlips ($4) to win by a widening one-and-a-quarter lengths with Boltsaver ($8) a half length away third. Schiller said it wasn't his intention to get as wide as he did on Spione in the straight. 'I didn't really want to get to the outside but when I was half-way there at the 400m I thought I might as well go the whole way,' Schiller said. @G1TySchil | @HawkesRacing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 • Punters in a 'Daze' as import causes a boilover 'Spione finished very strongly and put them away nicely in the finish. He's always been a consistent type and I know Michael really likes him.' Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his brother Wayne and their father, Hall of Famer John, said four-year-old Spione's best is still to come after the sprinter scored his third win at just his fifth start. 'We bred Spione and my Mum (Jenny) and wife (Clare) own him,' Hawkes said. 'The horse is by Showtime who we used to train and I have no doubt in time he will make a very nice horse.'
The Australian
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Briasa confirmed for The Everest
Brilliant TJ Smith Stakes winner Briasa, racing's new 'grey flash', is the second horse locked in for this year's $20m The Everest. Hawkes Racing made the announcement at lunch time on Saturday with the gelding snapped up by slot holders Max Whitby, Steve McCann, Colin Madden and Neil Werrett. Briasa confirmed himself as one of the most exciting sprinters in the country when the son of Smart Missile got the better of Overpass to prevail in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes on day one of The Championships. 'It's very exciting obviously but it's nice to get it done early so we can map out the best way to get him there to give us the best possible chance at the race,' co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. 'He's still out in the paddock for a bit but we'll work out when we get him back and he'll guide us on the path we plot. 'He'll have one or two runs into The Everest and he stay in Sydney and he'll run in the lead ups. 'We just need to decide how many and which ones.' Briasa's rise into The Everest calculations has been sensational with the rising five-year-old only breaking his maiden in autumn last year. He's since put together seven wins from 10 starts and Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, believes his best could still be ahead of him. Michael Hawkes. Picture:'He's a young horse that's still learning but he's already got a TJ under his belt,' he said. 'Six months ago, he was in a benchmark 85 on the Kensington so to have come that far in such a short time only emphasises how exciting he is, and we still don't know where his ceiling is. 'Every preparation he's improved as a racehorse and there's no reason why that won't be the case again when he starts off his Everest campaign.' Unbeaten colt Private Harry was the first horse locked in for The Everest following his The Galaxy victory on Golden Slipper day. The Nathan Doyle-trained sprinter was purchased by racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong after the win and will run in their slot in the race. The Everest betting is dominated by Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising ($1.90 favourite) with plans for the David Hayes-trained sprint weapon still to be officially snapped up for the race. Private Harry is the $6 second favourite with Briasa on the third line of betting at $8.
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Briasa locked and loaded for The Everest
Brilliant TJ Smith Stakes winner Briasa, racing's new 'grey flash', is the second horse locked in for this year's $20m The Everest. Hawkes Racing made the announcement at lunch time on Saturday with the gelding snapped up by slot holders Max Whitby, Steve McCann, Colin Madden and Neil Werrett. Briasa confirmed himself as one of the most exciting sprinters in the country when the son of Smart Missile got the better of Overpass to prevail in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes on day one of The Championships. 'It's very exciting obviously but it's nice to get it done early so we can map out the best way to get him there to give us the best possible chance at the race,' co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. 'He's still out in the paddock for a bit but we'll work out when we get him back and he'll guide us on the path we plot. 'He'll have one or two runs into The Everest and he stay in Sydney and he'll run in the lead ups. 'We just need to decide how many and which ones.' Briasa's rise into The Everest calculations has been sensational with the rising five-year-old only breaking his maiden in autumn last year. He's since put together seven wins from 10 starts and Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, believes his best could still be ahead of him. 'He's a young horse that's still learning but he's already got a TJ under his belt,' he said. 'Six months ago, he was in a benchmark 85 on the Kensington so to have come that far in such a short time only emphasises how exciting he is, and we still don't know where his ceiling is. 'Every preparation he's improved as a racehorse and there's no reason why that won't be the case again when he starts off his Everest campaign.' Briasa is brilliant in the G1 T J Smith Stakes! He makes it 7 wins from just 9 starts as he races away for @HawkesRacing and @G1TySchil! ðŸ'¨ @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 Unbeaten colt Private Harry was the first horse locked in for The Everest following his The Galaxy victory on Golden Slipper day. The Nathan Doyle-trained sprinter was purchased by racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong after the win and will run in their slot in the race. The Everest betting is dominated by Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising ($1.90 favourite) with plans for the David Hayes-trained sprint weapon still to be officially snapped up for the race. Private Harry is the $6 second favourite with Briasa on the third line of betting at $8.
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Matt Smith already eyeing The Everest for star sprinter Headwall as he prepares for The Quokka
Trainer Matt Smith is adamant Headwall deserves a crack at this year's $20m The Everest as his star sprinter prepares to chase a win in Australia's second richest slot race at Ascot this Saturday. Headwall can complete his meteoric rise up the Australian sprint ranks with victory in Perth's richest race, the $5m The Quokka (1200m). Despite not winning, the son of Dream Ahead has still been a revelation this campaign with a string of excellent performances at Group 1 level. Smith's emerging talent followed up a first-up fourth in the Oakleigh Plate by finishing runner-up in the Newmarket Handicap and a fast-finishing third in the TJ Smith Stakes. 'He has gone to another level this preparation,' Smith said. 'You never know if horses are going to take that next step but he has. 'He has got the turn of foot to win a Group 1 and is clearly tracking in that direction based on his three runs this preparation. 'They've been outstanding so I am just delighted. He wouldn't have done this before because he wouldn't relax but now he is starting to relax in his runs and gives himself every chance to win one of these races.' Briasa is brilliant in the G1 T J Smith Stakes! He makes it 7 wins from just 9 starts as he races away for @HawkesRacing and @G1TySchil! ðŸ'¨ @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 Headwall ($6) is one of three NSW raiders in Perth for the Quokka with two-time winner Overpass ($2 favourite) and country weapon Front Page ($9) also lining up. Both Overpass and Front Page have drawn double-digit gates while Headwall jumps from barrier eight with Zac Lloyd aboard. • 'The draw is fine for us, we can't be unhappy with the draw,' Smith said. 'The horse seems to be happy, I can't fault him really. 'He has been here a little over a week now but he settled in fine and seems fine. 'He has had a few runs so we just need to tick him over and keep him happy.' Smith said Headwall will go for a break straight after his trip to Perth to prepare for a spring assault he hopes will end up in The Everest. 'We will go through those Everest lead-up races,' Smith said. 'You can line all the form up now since we've had the three big sprints and you can see they are four or five of them within a length of each other. 'I think he well and truly deserves a crack at The Everest.' Only one horse has been locked in for this year's The Everest with The Galaxy winner Private Harry locked in to run in new owner Yulong's slot. Aethelflaed. Aethelflaed, a runner up in the Group 1 VRC Oaks, made her comeback from a long lay-off with victory in a 2000m event at Canberra last Friday.
