Team Hawkes keen to target the $1 million The Hunter with emerging sprinter Briasa

The talented grey has won five of his six starts to date as trainers Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes prepare to aim the bar higher at Newcastle next Saturday.

Briasa has won five of his six starts. Picture: Bradley Photos.

Briasa, one of Sydney’s most exciting young sprinters, will get his first crack in stakes grade in Saturday’s Group 2 $1 million The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle.

Trainers Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes are eager to test their lightly-raced talent in the feature event at the first of two stand-alone meetings to finish the carnival.

Briasa has been expertly brought through his grades and with more luck, he would be unbeaten in six starts to date.

As it stands, the talented son of Smart Missile has won five of six and the gelding was dominant winning a Benchmark 88 over 1250m at Randwick Kensington last start.

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There is also a Benchmark 94 Handicap over 1300m on the card at Newcastle but Team Hawkes is hoping Briasa’s rating will get him in the feature field.

Stablemate Flying Crazy, a creditable last start seventh in the Russell Balding Stakes, will contest the Benchmark 94.

“It doesn’t look like much is going to the race (Hunter) but they are always still hard races to win,” Michael Hawkes said.

“Briasa deserves a crack after his win last start. Tyler Schiller will ride him.

“Flying Crazy will go to the (Benchmark) 94. That was probably a career best from him last start.”

A brilliant win to Briasa at Randwick, he was simply too good!@G1TySchil | @HawkesRacingpic.twitter.com/s5SNUXvsAO

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 30, 2024

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Schiller will pilot Briasa, $11 in Hunter betting, before beginning a seven-meeting ban on Sunday for a careless riding charge picked up in the Golden Eagle.

Nominations for The Hunter meeting will be released on Monday morning with several leading contenders in ‘All In’ betting unlikely to run.

Belclare is an $11 chance for the $1 million The Hunter but trainer Bjorn Baker said on Sunday it was ‘doubtful’ the mare would back up next week following her win in the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Tyler Schiller has the ride on Briasa. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

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The Gary Portelli-trained Encap, a $15 contender in all-in betting, is set to be saved for the following week’s $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange.

Far Too Easy is the $6 favourite for The Hunter and will travel down from the state’s north for the feature after claiming The Kosciuszko last month.

“He pulled up super and we wouldn’t be going down if he didn’t,” his trainer David McColm said.

“It’s a long way to travel but they are anticipating a bit of rain as well.”

Jockey Kyle Wilson Taylor will ride Far Too Easy.

The Joseph Pride-trained Coal Crusher won last year’s The Hunter and is an $8 second favourite this year.

Originally published as Team Hawkes keen to target the $1 million The Hunter with emerging sprinter Briasa