All Too Hard will go in search of his third Group One win from three starts this year in Saturday’s Australian Guineas at Flemington.
Senior trainer John Hawkes confirmed on Sunday All Too Hard had pulled up well from the Futurity Stakes and the intention was to back him up seven days later.
The colt is rapidly shedding the tag of Black Caviar’s little brother as he fulfils his promise and increases his future value as a stallion for new owners Vinery Stud.
His first Group One victory came in the spring when he beat the previously undefeated Pierro in the Caulfield Guineas.
He was spelled after his second to Ocean Park in the Cox Plate and came back with a vengeance to win the C F Orr Stakes earlier this month.
Before he joined forces with his sons Michael and Wayne, Hawkes trained two champions – Octagonal and his son Lonhro.
Octagonal remains the benchmark for Hawkes but he says All Too Hard is heading the right way.
“He’s right up the top,” Hawkes told Sky Sports Radio.
“Lonhro and Octagonal, they won 11 or 12 Group Ones and this horse hasn’t won that many yet.
“But if he goes on another season, who knows.
“I wouldn’t put him with Octagonal yet but he’s pretty well up there with Lonhro.”
Octagonal ran third in the 1995 Caulfield Guineas before winning the Cox Plate. His autumn three-year-old campaign brought wins in the Canterbury Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, Mercedes Classic and Australian Derby between March 9 and April 6.
Lonhro’s first Group One win came in the 2001 Caulfield Guineas.
Hawkes said All Too Hard had come through the Futurity in good order.
“At this stage he’ll be running in the Guineas for sure,” he said.
“We’ll monitor him over the next couple of days to be certain everything is all right but I don’t see any problems.”
All Too Hard has a stranglehold on Guineas markets at $1.50 with Philippi next best at $13.
