Team Hawkes plans to be far from Invisible in Magic Millions Classic
JOHN Hawkes has not had a runner in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic for more than two decades - but the wait might be worth it.
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CHAMPION trainer John Hawkes has not had a runner in the $2 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic for more than two decades - but the wait might be worth it at the Gold Coast tomorrow.
Hawkes is saddling up unbeaten colt Invisible, the second favourite behind Unencumbered for the glamour juvenile race.
Hawkes, the Hall of Fame trainer who boasts more than 100 Group 1 winners, had to think long and hard to recall his last Magic Millions runner in Natchez, which ran seventh to the smart Bold Promise in 1991.
"It's been a while since we have had a chance to win this race but for many years when I was training for Ingham's we couldn't have a runner,'' Hawkes said.
Hawkes was private trainer at Crown Lodge between 1993-2008 where he trained many champions, most notably Octagonal and Lonhro, before he left that organisation to open up a training partnership with his sons, Wayne and Michael.
Team Hawkes is the hottest training brand in Sydney racing at the moment after a sizzling summer spree of winners that includes the Villiers Stakes (Ninth Legion), Inglis Nursery (Mossfun), at least one win at five of the last six Sydney Saturday meetings including a Canterbury treble featuring Invisible, and the best strike-rate ratio of a winner with every 4.6 runners.
But this success has been achieved after a faltering start to the training partnership, according to Hawkes.
"When I first started out with the boys, EI (equine influenza outbreak) didn't help us,'' he recalled.
"At least half the horses that contracted EI were never the same again and it sets us back a couple of years because we lost some owners and staff.
"But All Too Hard (four Group 1 wins) helped us last season and the results are coming now.''
Hawkes said he enjoys training in partnership with his sons.
"They worked with me at Crown Lodge but didn't get the recognition,'' he continued.
"But in the partnership, they get the kudos they deserve because they work just as hard as I do.''
Hawkes admitted it can be an interesting dynamic working so closely with his sons.
"Everyone puts their ideas together and most of the time there is a consensus,'' Hawkes said.
"This is a business and we have the odd disagreement - anyone that says they don't is kidding themselves.
"With family, I guess it is easier because if there is a blow up, we usually sort it out straight away and move on.
"The boys are good like that. Michael is a little quieter while Wayne wears his heart on his sleeve but deep down he is as soft as butter.''