As Black Caviar takes a break after her Royal Ascot triumph, her little brother All Too Hard is back in work at the Hawkes stable preparing for the spring.
The colt had four starts as a two-year-old, winning three times and beating all but Pierro in the Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes.
A Casino Prince half brother to the world’s best sprinter, the Nathan Tinkler-owned All Too Hard will be set for middle distance races including the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), a race that has evolved as a stallion-making event.
All Too Hard is already a valuable stud proposition and co-trainer Michael Hawkes says there is no pressure from Tinkler to protect him.
“The thing with Nathan is that he loves to race his horses,” Hawkes said.
“He doesn’t interfere with what we do.
“All Too Hard could go to stud now. That’s not what it’s all about.
“He has untapped potential and the sky’s the limit.”
Hawkes said the colt looked to have made the necessary physical improvement and the stable had always looked forward to his three-year-old season.
“He’s grown up and matured,” he said.
“There are exciting times ahead.
“What he did at two was good. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but he was beaten by a superstar.”
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Pierro went through his juvenile season unbeaten and claimed the triple crown of the Golden Slipper, Sires’ Produce and Champagne Stakes.
Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, said they were also looking forward to the return of Australian Derby runner-up Polish Knight and Sydney Cup winner hopeful Niwot.
A lightly-raced seven-year-old who has overcome serious injury, Niwot won the Saab Quality to earn a start in last year’s Melbourne Cup in which he finished a creditable eighth behind Dunaden.
In the autumn he edged out the popular Efficient to win the Sydney Cup (3200m).
“Polish Knight comes back to the stable this week and the Caulfield Cup will be a target for him,” Hawkes said.
“Niwot is back a week later and will go to the Melbourne Cup again.
