Amangiri scores special win for Team Hawkes in Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Team Hawkes has won many bigger races but Amangiri’s Group 3 win was special, not least because of the silks worn by jockey Tommy Berry. Plus, the cheeky $10 wager that netted a motza.
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Team Hawkes has won many bigger races but this one was special.
Amangiri, described as a “family horse” by Hall of Famer John Hawkes, showed her class to overcome difficulties and win the Group 3 $160,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Winning jockey Tommy Berry proudly wore the colours of pink, green sash and pink cap of Amangiri’s owners, John’s wife Jenny and their daughter-in-law, Clare Hawkes — and therein lies a story.
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“They were the colours of Jenny’s mother, Gwen,’’ John Hawkes said.
“The first horse Gwen raced was called Reginella and I rode it to win a race in Adelaide (in the 1960s). Jen kept the colours and sort of mothballed them for years.’’
But Jenny Hawkes decided to register the colours again a few years ago and Amangiri provided an emotional win for the Hawkes family.
Amangiri wins the Hawkesbury Gold Cup with a peach of a ride from @TommyBerry21 @hawkesburyrc pic.twitter.com/uqhGOFBTlB
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 25, 2020
“Jenny watched the race downstairs at home and she was a bit teary after the win,’’ Hawkes said.
Michael Hawkes, who co-trains Amangiri with his brother Wayne and their father John spoke to his wife, Clare, immediately after the race.
“I wish Clare and mum were here on track, it’s days like this when you want them to be here,’’ Michael Hawkes said. “But we’ve got to do the right thing and we are doing the right thing (coronavirus protocols). Tommy rode her brilliantly and it has just been a great family affair. We are still racing and we are very, very happy.”
Clare Hawkes said she “screamed the house down” as Amangiri held her rivals at bay to win.
“I don’t know what the neighbours are thinking,’’ she said. “My hands are red-raw from clapping and, straight after the race, I rang Michael and burst into tears.
“This is what racehorse ownership is about. I rang Jenny and she is actually the same. That was so good. Michael and I haven’t had a drink since the races went behind closed doors but there is a bottle of champagne in the fridge and it is going to get opened tonight.’’
In an exciting finish where less than a length separated the first six over the line, Amangiri ($4.80 favourite) drove between runners to score by a long-neck from Live And Free ($7) with Another Dollar ($31) a nose away third.
Amangiri gave Team Hawkes its third Hawkesbury Gold Cup after Leebaz (2014) and Kingsguard (2018).
Berry was experiencing Hawkesbury Gold Cup success for the first time, although it looked like luck deserted him when he went for an inside run in the straight only for leader Archedemus to roll back to the fence, stopping Amangiri’s momentum at a vital stage of the race.
“It was looking a little hairy at the top of the straight,’’ Berry said. “But it was a massive improvement getting back on top of the ground, she had those two nice runs that got her fitness to where it needed to be and she was a lot more relaxed in the run today. That helped her finish off late.
“She’s been very consistent but she is the sort of horse that wears her heart on her sleeve, she tries very hard, sometimes too hard, and it works against her at times. But everything worked out well for us today and hopefully she can go on to bigger and better things.”
Amangiri, a four-year-old mare by Team Hawkes’s former champion All Too Hard, scored her fourth win from 13 starts and took her earnings to more than $370,000.
“She is a lovely mare, very genuine,’’ John Hawkes said. “She is not elite but she hasn’t had much luck in the Group 1 races she has contested. She is better on top of the ground, too
“We might look at the Dark Jewel Classic next but she is going to be retired at the end of the season. She will make a good mum.’’
John O’Shea, trainer of runner-up Live And Free, described the gelding’s effort as “super”.
“It was always a risk over the 1500m at Rosehill that they might have gone steady and that’s what they did,’’ O’Shea said. “His sectionals will be outstanding. He will be better for that run and goes to the Scone Cup.’’
HAWKESBURY GOLD RUSH
PUNTER’S TACTICAL MOVE PAYS OFF
One lucky TAB punter tasted sweet success with a $10 three-leg multi bet at Rosehill Gardens, turning their wager into at $31,000 collect.
Sweet Scandal got the punter off to a flying start when edging out In Her Time in the Hawkesbury Crown at $17. The Kris Lees-trained Tactical Advantage ($10.89) lobbed for the second leg before another roughie, Oakfield Missile ($17), completed the triple play.
The punter walked away with $31,472.10 for his $10 bet.
Lees gave punters a hint in a pre-race interview that Tactical Advantage was ready to run above his odds in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m) — and he did just that when he “stole” the race from Villami.
Tactical Advantage flies down the outside in the ANZAC colours to nail Villami on the line in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush for @Leesracing @JoshuaParr8 pic.twitter.com/qPZUshjJ9y
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 25, 2020
Lees said Tactical Advantage was “going better” than his eighth and fourth placings this time in suggested. “He is a highly talented horse,” Lees said. “He has a good winning record. I think that race fitness certainly helped today.
“He had that little bit of a freshen up from a couple of runs back. He has a really good finish on him in the right races when it sets up right like it did today.”
When Villami kicked clear in the straight and opened up a two-length gap on Spending To Win, she looked home, but Josh Parr crossed the heels of a few runners to present Tactical Advantage late. Parr was encouraged by Lees before jumping on the Bel Esprit six-year-old.
“Kris gave me a lot of confidence pre-race,’’ Parr said. “Being back on top of the ground in a race that looked to have nice tempo. He said that last furlong you can expect him to be very quick and a strong chance to nab them late, which he did.
“He’s a horse back in grade. He showed his class by pinning his ears back and finding the line like he did. What a pleasure to ride. He’s absolute push-button.”
Lees has a little plan formulated for the rest of Tactical Advantage’s preparation.
“He’s won a Takeover Target,’’ Lees said. “We’ll look at that and might even nominate for a Stradbroke. He is a horse who can stay up for a while if we space his runs.’’
AT THE TRACK
Matt Jones
Canterbury worthy of bigger events
We had our first Canterbury meeting on Wednesday since February after it was being used as a quarantine centre for the autumn carnival international horses. And trainer Jason Colye said it shouldn’t just be a track for midweek racing.
“It’s a track that should have Stakes racing on it once or twice a year. It would bring a new element to certain races,” Coyle said. “That was the romance with Sydney racing. We had four metropolitan tracks with different dimensions and it changes things up. There’s a place for better races at Canterbury and Warwick Farm. And it would take pressure off Rosehill and Randwick. “It’s an underused surface and facility and is the best wet weather track.”
Considering the success of Canterbury’s summer night racing, where more people often turn up then at Randwick or Rosehill the next day, it should be given a bumper Saturday race day.
Waller’s new look
We believe this is the first time we’ve seen leading trainer Chris Waller unshaven. Apparently there was no reason at all for the change of tactics. For what it’s worth, we love the facial hair.
Different class
Port Macquarie trainer John Sprague was left bemused recently by what they consider a city race in Queensland. “I had a horse (Patriot) who I thought could go well in Brisbane in a race for country and provincial horses and those that haven’t won in the metropolitan area,” he said. “You think that’s not a bad race. You’re not meeting city winners, but when we accepted there were two or three horses that won their last starts at Doomben. I rang them and asked how that worked out and they said they don’t class those meetings (midweeks) as city racing, only the Saturday meetings.”
Illustrious honour
This is a good gesture. Owner of Illustrious Lad, Anthony Panozzo, will donate all prizemoney earned by his sprinter, as he nears the end of his career, to the families of the four Victorian police officers who were killed in an accident during the week.
As the racing career of my favourite horse nears an end. I will be donating all prizemoney earnt to the families of the 4 police officers that lost their lives this week. Illustrious Lad has given myself and all owners a great ride. 🙠that we can give a little in return. pic.twitter.com/H53fbsvUXJ
— Anthony Panozzo (@AnthPanozzo) April 24, 2020
Cup win would ease pain
Cody Morgan has the well fancied Ligulate in Sunday’s Tamworth Cup and the win would help ease the pain of a broken leg he suffered at a trackwork incident on Saturday morning.
Dud Rule
Rule The World didn’t live up to his price ($8) when running 10th in the Hawkesbury Guineas and Tim Clark said punters may had overrated him first-up. “He didn’t trial well and was disappointing,” Clark said.
Family ties
Gai Waterhouse won the VRC St Leger (2800m) with Sacramento, 63 years after her father Tommy Smith took out the race with none other than Tulloch. And Sacramento is by Pierro, who Waterhouse trained to win the Golden Slipper.
Young star
Remember Isotope, the horse that won by 10 lengths on debut at Doomben a fortnight ago? Well, she won easily again on the Sunshine Coast by 2 ¼ lengths.
That was impressive! 2YO filly Isotope for trainer @TonyGollan lives up to her short @tabcomau price winning at @SCTurfClub. @RaceQLD. pic.twitter.com/F2Ty95dJu1
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 25, 2020
Back in business
Jockey John Kissick has got his jockey’s license back after more than three years out after suffering a broken back in an accident in October 2016. He’s taking rides in the southern region of NSW.
That’s ace ...
Sky Racing presenter and keen golfer Glenn Munsie had his first hole in one during the week at the 15th at Bankstown Golf Club.
First ever Hole in One at Royal Bankstown’s 15th hole. Drinks to celebrate tonight. pic.twitter.com/zHZgRWKWzx
— Glenn Munsie (@glennmunsieTAB) April 21, 2020
Star Wars battle
For all you Star Wars nerds, at Goulburn on Sunday we have Anakin Skywalker taking on Chewie Two, who is the full-brother to Chewbacca.
HORSES TO FOLLOW: Yonkers (big improver next time) Multaja (next start) Aliferous (going super)
ONES TO SACK: Donandkim (had every chance), Vow And Declare (a let down)
RIDE OF THE DAY: Josh Parr on Tactical Advantage (came across a few sets of heels to win)
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Obviously the freedom we live is what they fought for. We must respect that, and continue to respect that,” said JOSH PARR after winning on Tactical Advantage in the Anzac Day colours.
TAB BETTING REVIEW
ROSEHILL GARDENS
RACE 1
Saffiano hugged the rail and nabbed Formentera on the line in the Clarendon Stakes. Saffiano was well supported on raceday from $8.50 to $5 including a $6,000 bet at $5. Formentera eased from $3.20 to $4 on raceday before closing $3.80. Third placegetter Rock My Wand drifted as raceday favourite from $2.50 to $3.30.
RACE 2
Welsh Legend managed to hold on for her second win from a fast-finishing Laure Me In. Welsh Legend was $6 to as short as $4.80 before closing $5.50 raceday favourite. Laure Me In opened $15 on Wednesday and was as short as $5.50 before closing $7. Third placegetter Yonkers drifted from $3.80 raceday morning favourite to $7. Loves To Rock was backed from $12 to $6 second elect but failed to run a placing.
RACE 3
Despite a late betting drift, Grand Piano overpowered Rapido Chaparro in the last 100m. Grand Piano was as short as $3 on raceday morning before eventually closing $4 favourite. Bets of note on Grand Piano were $5,000 at $3.20, $5,000 at $3.10 and $5,000 at $3. Fourth placegetter Word For Word was $6.50 to $5.50 on raceday (as short as $5). Late support for Donandkim ($11 to $8) and Designated ($16 to $8.50) failed to materialise. Rapido Chaparro ($19) and Oxford Tycoon (as much as $12 to $9) minor placegetters.
RACE 4
Sweet Scandal denied In Her Time victory in the late stages of the Hawkesbury Crown. Sweet Scandal charged in the last 100 metres to thwart In Her Time a fairytale finish. Sweet Scandal was specked on raceday from $17 to $12 before closing $14. In Her Time was as short as $3 before closing $3.40 favourite. Just over half of the money on the win hold was for In Her Time. Bets of note on In Her Time included $6,000 at $3.40 and $5,000 at $3. Third placegetter Dyslexic was supported at a price from $14 to $9. One bet of $4,500 the win / $1,500 the place @ $8.50/$2.80 on fourth-placed Irithea.
RACE 5
In another close finish at Rosehill, Tactical Advantage claimed the Hawkesbury Gold Rush. Tactical Advantage was easy in raceday betting from $11 to $15 (touched $16). Runner-up Villami was $6 to $4.60 on raceday before closing $5 equal favourite. Bets on Villami included $5,500 at $5 and $5,000 at $4.80. Fourth-placed Graff was $4.60 to as much as $5.50 before sharing favouritism at $5. Third placegetter God Of Thunder drifted from $10 to $13 on raceday. The plunge on Albumin ($26 to $11 on raceday) did not come off.
RACE 6
Dawn Passage was too good for his rivals in the last 200 metres of the Hawkesbury Guineas. In an open betting race, Dawn Passage closed $7.50 when the barriers opened. One TAB punter placed a $2,000 bet at $7.50 on Dawn Passage. Bandersnatch was the $5 favourite until his late scratching behind the barriers. St Covet’s Spirit ($12) was the runner-up in the Hawkesbury Guineas. Third placegetter Icebath was an eventual $6.50 equal favourite but was easy on raceday. The unplaced Eleven Eleven and Spend closed $6.50 equal favourites with Icebath.
RACE 7
Amangiri saw daylight with 250 metres to go and saluted in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup. Amangiri held outright favouritism for most of raceday but eased late from $4 to $5. Amangiri shared top billing with fourth-placed Archedemus (backed from $17 to $5). Runner-up Live And Free tightened from $6 to $5 before closing $7. Another Dollar (as much as $51 to $26 on raceday) finished third. One bet of $4,500 @ $23 on the unplaced Mask Of Time late in betting.
RACE 8
Favourite punters were distraught after Oakfield Missile pipped True Detective on the line. True Detective was backed from $3.50 to $2.60 including an $8,000 wager at $2.80. One TAB punter was luckier after placing $10,000 at $1.55 on True Detective to place. Oakfield Missile eased on raceday from $17 to $26. Miss Einstein ($6 to $7), Tricky Gal ($6 to $8) and Segalas ($7.50 to $9.50) were unplaced. Soldier Of Love ($41) was the third placegetter.